Handel’s Ice Cream opens third San Fernando Valley shop in Encino

Handel’s Ice Cream is opening a new Encino location on July 16, adding a third shop in the San Fernando Valley as the brand expands in Southern California. The grand opening will include a ribbon cutting, prize-wheel giveaways and daily service with 48 rotating flavors.

Why it matters: - The Encino opening gives Handel’s Ice Cream a third location in the San Fernando Valley. - The shop adds another family-owned, women-led business presence in a neighborhood corridor with heavy local traffic. - The expansion underscores Handel’s push to grow its Southern California footprint.

What happened: - Handel’s Ice Cream is opening a new shop at 16545 Ventura Boulevard in Los Angeles, California 91436. - The grand opening is set for Thursday, July 16, with doors opening at 11:00 a.m. - The location is owned and operated by professional chef Zahra Afshar, her husband Bill Wagner and Jayron Afshar. - Zahra Afshar said Handel’s drew her because of its daily fresh-made ice cream and quality standards. - Afshar said the goal is to create a welcoming place where families, friends and neighbors can gather.

The details: - The grand opening includes a ribbon cutting with the local Chamber of Commerce at 1:30 p.m. - Guests can spin a prize wheel from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. with one spin per customer. - The shop will serve 48 rotating flavors. - Pickup and delivery will be available through DoorDash, Grubhub, Uber Eats and Postmates. - Catering services will also be offered. - The shop will be open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. - Afshar said she has lived in the San Fernando Valley for more than 40 years. - Afshar said the family wants the stores to support local schools, Little Leagues and first responders.

Between the lines: - The opening blends brand growth with a local ownership story, which can help a chain feel more neighborhood-focused. - Handel’s is leaning on its core selling points: made-fresh-daily ice cream, rotating flavors and community events. - The store launch also signals how franchise brands are using premium, experience-driven retail to deepen regional expansion.

What's next: - The Encino shop will continue daily service after the July 16 grand opening. - Handel’s is also inviting customers to follow @handels818 on Instagram or visit more information. - Handel’s said it now has more than 175 locations across 20 states and is still growing.