Ice Cream News

Over-the-top Sloan's Ice Cream from Florida makes Texas debut in Plano

Sloan's Ice Cream

Sloan's

A fantastically over-the-top ice cream shop has made its Texas debut in Plano: Sloan's Ice Cream, a Florida-based chain, has opened a location at Village 121, a bustling center at 8315 Preston Rd. #300, where it's scooping fun flavors in a space drenched in Instagrammable candy-colored hues.

Sloan's was founded in 1999 in West Palm Beach by ice cream enthusiast and trained chef Sloan Kamenstein, and currently has a dozen locations including eight on Florida's east coast, plus California, Ohio, and Las Vegas, Nevada. They've been featured on TV shows such as Keeping Up with the Kardashians and The World According to Jeff Goldblum, and also made a USA Today list of Top 10 Ice Cream Parlors in the USA.

Each Sloan's delivers an immersive experience. Colorful decor was a theme from the get-go, with early locations featuring extras such as hand-painted angels on the ceiling, in an effort to make the stores more of an experience versus a plain old scoop shop. Their shops boast vivid, almost psychedelic interiors and eye-catching chandeliers in hues of pink, magenta, aqua, and neon green.

Row of chandeliers at Sloan's Ice Cream in PlanoSloan's

Ice cream is surely the star, with a library of more than 50 flavors including your basic choc-van-straw, along with foodie-level creations such as:

Black & White Malt: old-fashioned black and white malted milkshake flavor with malt balls
Carrot cake ice cream with chunks of carrot cake, cream cheese frosting, and walnuts
Circus: cotton candy ice cream loaded with gummy bears
Coffee & doughnuts: coffee ice cream with Krispy Kreme glazed doughnuts
Coconut Storm: coconut ice cream with shredded coconut

The ice cream can be ordered in a waffle cone they make on site, as well as in shakes, smoothies, ice cream sodas, and sundaes including some outrageous shareable varieties like Tracy's Kitchen Sink, which comprises 18 scoops of ice cream, every topping, cookies, brownies, whipped cream, and cherries – all served in a real sink.

But they go beyond ice cream with chocolates, cookies, brownies, chocolate and caramel candy-apples, bulk candy, plus gifts and fluffy toys.

Bringing the concept to DFW are Pardhu Vemuri and his wife, Susmitha Katkoori, an acclaimed makeup artist. The couple became enchanted by Sloane's wondrous atmosphere, and their customers have, as well.

"The ice cream is incredible, but everyone loves it, the moment they walk in the door," Vemuri says. "It's fun to watch when they come in — out come the cameras, when they see this is a cool place. They stop and spend time with the decor before placing their order."

desserts ice cream openings plano texas debut

H-E-B opening

H-E-B's first Dallas County grocery store makes grand debut in Irving

Photo courtesy of H-E-B

H-E-B has opened at 2351 West Interstate 635, Irving.

The ribbon has been cut, and dinner is being purchased at the long-anticipated new H-E-B store in Irving. The Texas grocery chain officially opened the doors to the supermarket, at 2351 West Interstate 635, at 6 am Wednesday, June 17.

The store, the first H-E-B in Dallas County, is technically in Irving but is also convenient to Las Colinas neighborhoods, Coppell, Grapevine, West Dallas, and DFW Airport. Irving is also home to a location of Joe V's Smart Shop by H-E-B, a spinoff H-E-B concept, at 2407 W. Airport Fwy.

“We’re honored to open our doors to this wonderful community, where our committed H-E-B Partners are ready to earn the loyalty and confidence of local families,” says Juan-Carlos Rück, an H-E-B executive vice president, in a release. “We are eager to provide our customers in the Irving area with quality service and an outstanding selection of H-E-B favorites and flavors from around the world.”

A look around
The massive 112,000-square-foot store features not only groceries and home essentials but a True Texas BBQ restaurant with drive-thru, H-E-B Curbside and Home Delivery services with a large Curbside parking area, and full-service H-E-B Pharmacy with drive-thru.

Additional highlights include an expanded hot food offerings with several breakfast, lunch, and dinner options; a Meal Simple section plus Asian grill items such as rice and noodle bowls, True Texas BBQ favorites, True Texas Boil House seafood selections, hot soups, and bakery goods.

Specific to the Irving store, H-E-B has introduced Masala House, described as "an H-E-B product line that offers customers meal options made in-house daily such as chicken masala, butter chicken, naan bread, chutney dips, and more." There's also an international assortment of rice, lentils, and specialty items from Central America, Latin America, Britain, and Asia.

"Inside and out, the new store reflects the unique character of the Irving community," says the release.

H-E-B South Asian foods There's a special emphasis on South Asian foods at the Irving H-E-B.Photo courtesy of H-E-B

Like in other H-E-B stores, the Irving location offers:

Bakery with artisan breads, cakes, warm tortillas, and vegan options made fresh daily
Deli featuring an extensive cheese selection and charcuterie island
Sushiya with fresh-made sushi and an Asian grill serving rice bowls, teriyaki, and more
H-E-B Meal Simple chef-inspired meals prepared in store
Cooking Connection with live demos, samples, and easy recipe ideas
Produce department with large organic and Texas-grown selections
Meat market featuring Prime, natural, organic, and Wagyu meats, plus ready-to-eat options
Blooms floral department with online ordering and delivery
Extensive beer and wine selection with a tasting station
Healthy Living department with bulk foods, sports nutrition products, and supplements
Expanded frozen foods selection
Beauty department with cosmetics and personal care essentials
Pet department featuring Heritage Ranch by H-E-B food, treats, and toys
Household Essentials department with tableware, storage products, and Texas Tough items

The store opened at 6 am June 17 with fanfare that included H-E-B and community leaders, plus Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders - essential for any opening worth its salt in DFW. The company also presented checks totaling $40,000 for Irving-based nonprofits including Irving Family Advocacy Center, Level Pathways, Coppell ISD Education Foundation, and the Canine Companions.

H-E-B Irving The Irving store is just off 635, convenient to Grapevine, Coppell, DFW Airport, and West Dallas.Photo courtesy of H-E-B

First announced in August 2024, the Irving store is the latest in the San Antonio-based grocer's march across Dallas-Fort Worth. It is the second DFW opening in a month, following the H-E-B Midcities store in Euless on May 20.

H-E-B has also unveiled plans for stores in Garland, Murphy, Walsh Ranch, Carrollton, and Denton. H-E-B owns land in Dallas at Hillcrest Road and LBJ Freeway, the site will be the company’s first H-E-B store in the city of Dallas.

The Irving H-E-B store is open daily 6 am-11 pm.

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