Water Ice Family Will Open New Millcreek Mall Store
The business is set to celebrate the grand opening of its permanent Erie storefront on October 17, 2026.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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The Water Ice Family will transition from its 2024 seasonal roots to a permanent location at the Millcreek Mall. The store, situated across from H&M, will host a grand opening event on October 17, 2026.
Why it matters
This move marks a significant achievement for the family-operated business, providing a year-round opportunity to expand its presence within the Erie community.
The grand opening features incentives for early visitors, including 10 free small water ices and a 10% discount for the next 10 customers. The store also introduced seasonal offerings like BooBerry Cheesecake Funnel Fries.
The players
The Water Ice Family
This is a family-operated business that specializes in selling Philadelphia-style water ice and handcrafted lemonades.
Millcreek Mall
This is a major shopping destination located in Erie that serves as the new permanent home for the business.
The details
The business specializes in Philadelphia-style water ice and handcrafted lemonades prepared by family members. Moving from a seasonal model to a permanent storefront allows the shop to offer themed products such as the BooBucket throughout the month of October.
Timeline
The business started as a seasonal operation in 2024.
The grand opening ceremony is scheduled for October 17, 2026.
The grand opening event begins at 12:00 p.m. on October 17, 2026.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony will occur at 12:15 p.m. on October 17, 2026.
Market Landscape
This transition reflects a growing retail trend where successful seasonal pop-ups leverage their established brand identity to secure permanent footprints in traditional malls. It positions the business to compete for foot traffic against existing permanent tenants.
Shoppers can expect new dessert options at the Millcreek Mall following the store's October 17 opening. Early visitors have the opportunity to receive free items or discounts during the initial ribbon-cutting event.
The takeaway
Starting as a seasonal venture can provide businesses with the necessary proof of concept before committing to permanent lease agreements. This approach allows owners to build a loyal local customer base with lower initial overhead risks.
What happens next
The grand opening ceremony and ribbon-cutting are scheduled for October 17, 2026, starting at 12:00 p.m.
Further reading
For more on new businesses in the region, check out our Openings & Closings section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Erie News Now - Your News Team.
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