Handel’s Ice Cream to open Red Mountain shop with prizes and weekend events

Handel’s Ice Cream will celebrate the grand opening of its Red Mountain Gateway Shopping Mall location in Mesa, Arizona, on Thursday, Aug. 27, with giveaways, family activities and school partnerships. The new shop expands the brand’s Arizona footprint and adds another outlet for its 48 rotating flavors, catering and delivery service.

Why it matters: - The Red Mountain opening adds another Handel’s location in Arizona as the brand continues expanding in the state. - The shop gives Mesa customers a new neighborhood ice cream destination with daily service, catering and delivery options. - The opening weekend is designed to drive traffic, build local awareness and connect the shop with nearby schools and families.

What happened: - Handel’s Ice Cream will open its Red Mountain shop at Red Mountain Gateway Shopping Mall, 2015 N. Power Road, Suite 106, in Mesa, Arizona. - The grand opening begins Thursday, Aug. 27. - The first 100 people in line can win Free Ice Cream for a Year, Free Pint Per Month for a Year, $50 gift cards or $25 gift cards. - A spin-a-wheel promotion will run from 10 a.m. to noon during the opening celebration. - Friday, Aug. 28 will include a face painter and balloon twister from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. - A 360-photo booth will run from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday. - The shop will host Celebrity Scooping events with local schools on Aug. 29 and Aug. 30.

The details: - Terry and Jennifer Keenen own and operate the new shop with Operating Partner Vanessa Dodds. - The Red Mountain location joins the Keenen family’s growing roster, which includes the recently opened Medina Station shop and an upcoming store in Gilmore. - The Red Mountain shop opens daily at 10 a.m. and will operate every day from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. - The store will offer 48 rotating flavors. - Handel’s Red Mountain will also provide catering and pickup and delivery through DoorDash, Uber Eats and Postmates. - The brand has partnered with local schools, sports teams, clubs and nonprofits through fundraising events, sponsorships and charitable donations.

Between the lines: - The Red Mountain launch shows Handel’s using experience-driven openings to turn a store debut into a community event. - The school partnerships and weekend activities suggest the company is aiming for repeat local visits, not just opening-day traffic. - Terry Keenen said the Red Mountain Gateway Shopping Mall opening is a milestone because local communities have warmly embraced the brand across the valley. - Vanessa Dodds said the team wants the Mesa store to become a neighborhood gathering spot.

What's next: - The Red Mountain shop will keep building local ties through everyday service and future community events. - Handel’s says the Arizona expansion will continue as the Medina Station location grows and the Gilmore shop opens. - More information is available at the Red Mountain store page or on Instagram at @handels_southeastvalley.

The bottom line: - Handel’s is using a high-energy grand opening to turn a new Mesa store into both a sales driver and a community hub.