Black-Owned Philly-Style Italian Water Ice Company Opened In Downtown Disney On Juneteenth – AfroTech
A Los Angeles-based food truck has now expanded to Disney.
Entrepreneur Lemeir Mitchell moved to Los Angeles after his brother’s death in a motorcycle accident and his father’s incarceration, Fortune reports. Mitchell, a Philadelphia native, was making ends meet as a tattoo artist. Still, he became so intrigued by the food trucks in Los Angeles that he opened his own in 2017 called Happy Ice.
Happy Ice
Happy Ice carries Philly-style Italian water ice, which Mitchell described as a mixture that sits between ice cream, sorbet, and shaved ice, in conversation with ABC11.
“Happy Ice is a product that’s called ‘Philadelphia Water’ where I’m from. I’m born and raised in Philadelphia. When I came out here, I really was craving this product so much, but I couldn’t get it,” Mitchell told ABC11.
When the food truck opened on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles, Mitchell said it was a hard sell to locals at first. Hundreds of samples were distributed daily, helping the business generate revenue, he explained on the “Social Proof” podcast.
“When we first started our first food truck did about $300,000 first year … We right here on Melrose … It was like the foot traffic really helped us out because I was an artist and I had decked out the truck like very artistic. People, whether they knew what it was or not, they was walking up and just checking it out. So, between the foot traffic and just us having a good product and word of mouth going around a certain amount of time, we really was doing good. It was our weekends here that really killed it with Melrose foot traffic,” Mitchell explained on the podcast.
Thanks to ongoing customer support, Happy Ice now has two storefronts: 7324 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046, and 18427 Nordhoff St, Northridge, CA 91325.
Downtown Disney District
What’s more, customers can enjoy its sweet treats, including flavors such as mango, lemonade, Dole pineapple, and blue raspberry, in the Downtown Disney District.
“What started as a one-month food truck pop-up has turned into an official location, all because of your support. This is such a huge win for all of us. For our amazing guests, our team, our families, small businesses, and underdogs everywhere. Many of you have followed the Happy Ice journey since we opened our first truck in 2017. Wow. Look how far we’ve all helped push this brand. Thank you so much,” Mitchell said in an Instagram post.
In a TikTok video, Mitchell is seen at the grand opening wearing a graduation cap and gown, a gesture honoring his late brother, who passed away a week before he was supposed to graduate.
The grand opening was held on Juneteenth.
“We waited a special day on Juneteenth to make it super special, being a Black-owned business down here. So I hope to not only just be an inspiration to the Black community but anyone who is striving to be great,” he expressed.
@laughing_place Happy Ice is now officially open at Downtown Disney! 🍧 The Black-owned business celebrated its grand opening on Juneteenth, bringing Philadelphia-style Italian water ice to the #Disneyland Resort. Check out this emotional clip as founder Lemeir Mitchell cuts the opening ribbon, and be sure to try Happy Ice on your next trip to the Happiest Place on Earth. #DisneyParks
