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National Ice Cream Month in Santa Clarita
from Sunday Signal July 3, 2022
by Signal
NEWS FEATURE
By Michele E. Buttelman
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Signal Staff Writer
In Santa Clarita
National Ice Cream Day is celebrated this year on July 17. In 1984, President Ronald Reagan designated July as National Ice Cream Month and the third Sunday of the month as National Ice Cream Day.
While any time of the year is perfect for ice cream, there is something about hot weather and the joy of holding an ice cream cone in your hand.
The race to finish your cone before it melts and drips down your arm is a fond childhood memory for many.
The Santa Clarita Valley is fortunate to have a wide variety of ice cream, frozen yogurt and gelato locations including one of the few Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard stores west of the Mississippi.
For National Ice Cream month, get adventurous and try something new. From vanilla to honey lavender, there’s an ice cream flavor for everyone.
One of the most unique ice cream stores in the SCV is Pops Artisanal Creamery. For years residents have dreamed about an ice cream store locating to Main Street in Old Town Newhall. That dream became a reality when Pops opened last year adjacent to the Laemmle Theater.
“It’s one of the reasons we opened in Santa Clarita,” said Damon Pratt, operating general manager of Pops. “We saw the Laemmle and said, ice cream and movies go hand in hand.”
Pratt’s brother, Marthin Ken, founded the small chain in San Fernando. It has now expanded to three locations, which include Van Nuys and Newhall.
Ken is a sixth-generation ice cream maker. His roots go back to Belize where his family owned a bodega called the Rainbow Saloon. Their signature flavors such as Kriol Sweet Corn (sugar corn) and Soursop are still made and sold at Pops. Family members in Corozal, Belize, currently run an ice cream shop called Vamps Homemade Ice Cream and their grandfather still makes ice cream in San Francisco.
Pops ice cream uses recipes that go back generations. All the ice cream is made in house in small batches at the Van Nuys location. Pratt said the company plans to make its ice cream in Newhall in the future.
“We combine our family recipes and the diverse Los Angeles culture to create a wide range of flavors,” said Pratt. “Our recipes feature exotic fruits, traditional favorites and local farm-fresh ingredients. We wanted to create something modern and we offer vegan and nondairy flavors. We use coconut crème and oat crème.”
Pratt said guava cheese, inspired by the Porto’s pastry, is one of the most popular flavors at the store.
Pops offers 30 flavors daily of premium homemade ice cream, vegan sorbets and vegan ice cream.
Pratt said he enjoys being a part of a business that creates happiness.
“It is great to be able to share the
Damon Pratt, Pop’s Artisanal Creamery general manager, says the Newhall location was perfect. “We saw the Laemmle and said, ice cream and movies go hand in hand.” PHOTOS BY CHRIS TORRES / THE SIGNAL
flavors we had growing up in Belize in Central America,” he said.
As befitting National Ice Cream Month, Pops will celebrate the oneyear anniversary of its Newhall location at the end of July.
For other options, try any one of the following local ice cream offerings.
Baskin-Robbins
26582 Bouquet Canyon Road, Saugus, 91350 16544 Soledad Canyon Road, Canyon Country 91387 19221 Golden Valley Road Canyon Country 91387 23432 Lyons Ave., Newhall 91321
Ben & Jerry’s
23630-D Valencia Blvd. Valencia 91355. Locally owned and operated.
C&A Cafe and Creamery
19375 Plum Canyon Road Suite C, Saugus 91350. Family-owned and operated.
Cold Stone Creamery
27071 McBean Parkway Ste 3B, Valencia 91355 18740-A Soledad Canyon Road, Canyon Country, 91351·
Dairy Queen
26541 Bouquet Canyon Road, Saugus 91350
Golden Spoon Frozen Yogurt
27748 McBean Parkway, Valencia 91354
La Michoacana
20655 Soledad Canyon Road No. 43, Canyon Country 91351
La Michoacana Newhall
23762 Newhall Ave. Newhall 91321
La Michoacana Premium de Newhall
23254 Lyons Ave., Newhall 91321
La Michoacana Plus Santa Clarita
19351 Soledad Canyon Road, Canyon Country 91351
Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt
28273 Newhall Ranch Road, Valencia 91355 26865 Sierra Highway, Newhall 91321
OhBella Gelato and Crepe Cafe
18585 Soledad Canyon Road, Canyon Country 91351
Paradis Ice Cream Valencia
Westfield Valencia Town Center 24201 Valencia Blvd. #3428, Valencia, 91355
Pops Artisanal Creamery
24480 Main St. Suite 130, Old Town Newhall 91321
Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard
26773 Bouquet Canyon Road, Saugus 91350
Tutti Frutti Frozen Yogurt
24244 Lyons Ave., Newhall 91321
Wafflecomb
26240 Bouquet Canyon Road, Saugus 91350
Yogurtland Valencia
24266 Valencia Blvd., Valencia 91355
