Union is getting a Graeter’s Ice Cream store, and city leadership shared that Dewey’s Pizza and Braxton Brewing may be opening locations next door.
Representatives from Graeter’s were present at the Union City Commission meeting on Wednesday night. There, Justin Jones, project manager of Cincinnati-based firm KZF Design, showed renderings and photos from other stores in operation to illustrate the plans for the future Union location.
Union’s Graeter’s location will be around 5,500 square feet, with more indoor seating than other nearby locations in Northern Kentucky, along with a children’s play area.
The new store will be located on U.S. 42 between Old Union Road and Braxton Drive. Renderings showed plans for a Graeter’s store with a drive-thru, as well as a plaza and greenspace to the northeast, which would be the common space between the ice cream parlor, a Dewey’s Pizza and Braxton Brewing.
City officials said they have unofficial confirmation that the pizza and brewing businesses are planning to set up shop alongside Graeter’s. Mayor Larry Solomon said the trio work together frequently, and both Graeter’s and Braxton got their start in Union.
“It’s like they’re coming home,” Solomon said in the meeting.
This isn’t the first time Graeter’s has had a location in Union. The former location was eventually closed down as stores consolidated, and a restaurant serving Latin American food is in its place. The ice cream scoop door handle is still on the former Graeter’s front door, City Administrator David Plummer told LINK nky after the meeting adjourned.
City commissioners were visibly excited about the prospect of Graeter’s return to the area. While the ice cream franchise awaits permits to begin constructing the new store, Solomon said the city can help expedite the process by way of a special meeting on Monday, Sept. 12. That meeting will be held virtually.
Graeter’s hopes to open its new location in late summer 2023, but if they are granted permission sooner they could open as early as the spring, city officials said.
Meanwhile, Braxton and Dewey’s have yet to begin the process for their potential store locations near the new Graeter’s, according to Plummer.
