Ice Cream Parade — Restaurant in Lake Mary

Everything was great, except.....that disgusting trash can smell.

My wife told me about a new Ice Cream place she heard about through social media, just around the corner from our house. So, I packed up the family and headed over for an after dinner treat. I opened the front door, then it hit me (smack in the face, all open mouthed), a disgusting dirty trash can smell mixed with a can of air freshener. The most horrible mix of smells (just like going to recycle center and spraying a can of Febreeze). I didn't say anything to my wife, as I didn't want to spoil her long-awaited treat. Well, I ordered some ice cream for myself and the children and when I asked my wife what she wanted (I was expecting her to say "peanut butter anything"), she said.... "no thanks, I don't want anything"..... huh? The reason we were there was because she wanted to try it out. Anyways, the ice cream was good and the crafted soda was great (where has that stuff been hiding my whole life, not too sweet and full of flavor). The kids really liked the color changing spoons. I asked my wife if she wanted a taste of my ice cream or soda.... she refused (not like her at all). While we were there, a large family walked in looking like they were ready to tear into some ice cream. They were just about to order, then their mother says, "let's go, this place smells". So they all turned around and walk out, while the children looked back all disappointed. When we left, I asked my wife why she didn't eat anything. So she says "that pace smelled horrible. There is no way I could eat in that stinky place". Also, talking some more, it was apparent that she was turned off by the visible 5-gallon tubs of ice cream. This confused me and upon further discussion, it turns out that she just didn't like seeing the "labels" on the ice-cream containers. She believes that there should have been a white top-plate with holes cut out to allow access to the ice cream scoopers but blocking the containers (and their labels). She was also expecting the place to smell "sweet" like they just made some waffle cones.

So there you have it..... What could have been a great go-to spot, ruined by a few ice cream shop "rookie" mistakes. After reading some other reviews, that also mentioned the trash can smell, it obvious that the owner does not listen to their customers. I mean, all they did was spray air freshener to cover the smell. This is not how you handle this problem. Since the owner may not know how to fix this issue, I will help him/her out. Step one... Remove the trash containers and hose them outside and scrub them with some cleaner. Step two... Use some bleach mixed with water to kill that disgusting bacteria smell. Step three.... Change the trash often. Step four... Do not use air freshener to mask future trash can odor, just go back to step one thru four and repeat, when needed. As for the exposed labels.... I suggest that you find a plastic shop that will custom cut you a piece of 1/2-inch thick food-grade PTFE. The piece would simply lay on top of your 5-gallon ice cream containers. It should be a rectangle to fit the inside dimensions of your showcase freezers with the appropriate holes cut out to allow access to the 5-gallon ice cream containers, below. Two very simple fixes to address what has sadly turned people away from your ice cream shop.

I will return at a later date to see if these corrections have been made. I will also update my review with the results of my...

Stumbled on this WONDERFUL ice cream parlor called “The Ice Crem Parade” in Lake Mary, Fl. It is in the shopping center on the corner of Lake Mary Blvd and North Country Club Rd. a few doors down from Lighthouse Seafood restaurant, another wonderful place. Service is warm and friendly. The ice cream is divine. We tried the Mango Dole soft serve, not too sweet, excellent flavor. It was delicious and refreshing. We also tried the Vanilla and Raspberry Chocolate ice cream. Two separate ice creams. We did half and half in a cup, outstanding! The raspberry chocolate was delicious. It had just the right chocolate flavor, and inside with raspberry filling. It was so good! The owners were warm and friendly. They greeted you with a smile, and I would highly recommend Ice Cream Parade. Ask for John and tell him Katy send you! I told him I would spread the word. My reviews are unbiased and I only recommend the businesses that I feel give good service and good food to...

We were greeted with an extremely foul smelling trash can instead of a tasty ice cream shop upon entry. The trash can was located about 3 feet from the entrance and along the queue line. We almost walked out due to the terrible odor.

The ice cream was tasty but it is from a national supplier, rather than locally made. The staff was friendly but incredibly inefficient. I think it’s due to the poor layout to display the ice cream and the cash register location. One staff member kept tripping over an extension cord. It took almost 30 minutes with less than 10 people ahead of us in line.

It is a new location, and I hope they are able to work out the kinks. The downtown area would benefit from a dessert shop. I will update my review should...