Hola! to Elora's new ice cream store

ELORA – A husband and wife team are bringing a new soft serve experience to Elora with a side of Mexican flair. 

Angela and John Hollen have recently opened Sugar Skulls at the building they own at 22 Metcalfe St. on the south side of the Grand River.

They own apartments and Airbnb units at the building but this will be their first foray into a traditional storefront business.

Previous tenants of the space pulled out last year because of COVID and the Hollen’s decided it was time to fill the space themselves.

“Our space was empty and we thought ‘maybe this is the time, why not in a pandemic start your own business?’” Angela Hollen said.

The main offerings at Sugar Skulls are soft serve ice cream — the usual vanilla, chocolate and swirl — along with slushies, cold coffee beverages and dipped ice cream pops. 

However, the cold treats are highly customizable with up to 74 add-on flavours and toppings to choose from depending on what you get.

“Anything from Almond right down to white chocolate and everything in between,” Angela Hollen said.

COVID also directly impacted why they went with a Mexican theme seen in the many skulls, colour scheme and name of the store. They would normally go to Mexico every year but haven’t been able to for more than a year and a half.

“We can’t go to Mexico, so we’re bringing Mexico to us,” Angela Hollen said.

The store opened last week.

Mexico has also inspired some portions of the menu including a chili-chocolate sauce add-on, churros and ice cream “nachos” with slices of their in-house made waffle cones.

Angela Hollen said they think the business may be seasonal, closing in October or November, but that’s not set in stone.

“If we’re busy then we’ll consider staying open all year round,” Angela Hollen said. 

More items will be added as the business progresses like traditional Mexican popsicles, called paletas, and seasonal treats.

The Hollens are looking forward to Saturday where they have hired a mariachi band to come out and play in the afternoon to really drive home the Mexico experience. 

Further on, and pandemic-restrictions pending, they’d like to bring in local musicians to play on the patio on the weekends to create a social atmosphere.

“We want to build this as a social place for people to stop-in, bring their kids, and hopefully eventually enjoy the patio out there,” Angela Hollen said. 

The Hollens have had lots of support from friends and family with only themselves questioning if opening a food business during a pandemic is the right move. 

However, they’re positive they can find success with a popular product.

“Everybody likes ice cream,” John Hollen said.