Petros Ice Cream celebrates Chicopee opening

May 12, 2016 | D. Powers

Petros and Jessica Mirisis, and their daughter, Eleni, 2 months, welcome Mayor Richard Kos (left) and City Councilor John Vieau (right) to the couples latest Front Street venture – Petros Ice Cream.
Reminder Publications photo by D. Powers

CHICOPEE – Petros Ice Cream hosted an official ribbon cutting on Tuesday. Owner Petros Mirisis, joined by Mayor Richard Kos and City Councilor John Vieau, welcomed patrons to the shop located across the Chicopee Public Library on Front Street.

Mirisis said the Gifford's premium ice cream he serves is to “die for,” a reference to the building's former incarnation – a funeral home. A year ago, he noticed the large building was for sale. “I thought it was a perfect idea to turn it into an ice cream shop,” he said.

The shop sits directly from the library's main entrance, a place where children and families frequent for reading days and special events. Within walking or a short drive are Chicopee High School, the new 1st Sgt. Kevin A. Dupont Middle School and the always busy Szot Park.

Before he opened the shop, Mirisis and his three daughters, Katerina, Alexandra, and Eleni, 2 months, often went to a Friendly's miles away. He saw a need for an ice cream next to downtown and close to his restaurant. “It was easy to turn this place into an ice cream shop,” said Mirisis. “I like to taste the different flavor and so do my kids. What kid doesn't want to own an ice cream shop.”

A steady stream of vehicle and foot traffic passed as Mirisis and his wife, Jessica, greeted customers. An employee dressed in a cow costume waved and high-fived patrons. Servers scooped one of 25 flavors or swirled Garelick vanilla or chocolate soft serve onto cones.

The shop also serves fruit smoothies, milkshakes, and similar items.

Mirisis said it took some work transforming the funeral home to a family-friendly, bright ice cream shop. He will decide in the coming months whether to host children's birthday parties. He envisions kids making their own sundaes. “I'm going to concentrate on running the ice cream shop for the summer and see how that works and go from there,” he said.

He has plenty of space to expand the business or to try new ideas. Mirisis will be rotating flavors and introducing seasonal offerings. His favorite flavor is Fly Fishing Fudge, a decadent combination of M&Ms, cookie dough, hot fudge and vanilla. “People go crazy about that,” he said.

Kos said, “People who know me know that I would say anyplace is a perfect place for an ice cream shop. Already having frequent this place a few times, I can tell you Petros Ice Cream Shop is the same quality and caliber of his restaurant,” he said. “It's going to be very well received. I'm looking forward to having it as a great resource here.”

Petros Ice Cream is located at 456 Front St. and open every day from noon to 10 p.m. On-street parking is available.

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