Graeter’s is bringing back last year’s favorite ice cream, talking Lexington expansion
Fans of Graeter’s Ice Cream know that the Cincinnati-based company always comes out with a Mystery Flavor for the summer.
And this year’s flavor is one that was a big hit last year: Caramel Macchiato.
“We had it last summer as a bonus flavor,” said Chip Graeter, head of retail operations. “And this one was the most popular by far last summer.”
Graeter said that they annually launch flavors as bonus flavors, beginning around Mother’s Day in the spring, and if they do well will bring them back again.
“If it continues to do well we’ll make it a regular flavor,” he said.
The Caramel Macchiato is caramel and coffee ice cream, with little milk chocolate caramel truffles and pieces of Heath Bar toffee in it.
“It’s rich and super good, reminds you of an espresso drink,” Graeter said. And because it actually has coffee in it, it does have a bit of a caffeine kick.
It hits scoop shops, including the two locations in Lexington, on March 1. The flavor also will be available online but is not expected to be in grocery stores.
Graeter said that grocery sales were booming last year during the coronavirus pandemic and direct shipping sales were up as well.
“That helped us to weather the storm,” he said.
Graeter’s Lexington locations
Graeter’s shops with drive-thru’s also did well. Neither the Chevy Chase Graeter’s at 836 Euclid or the Hamburg one at 1925 Justice Dr. has a drive-thru, something Graeter said he is hoping to remedy.
“This past year showed us that I don’t want to put in too many new stores without one,” he said. “We continue to look in Lexington and if we found another one or two locations there, that would be wonderful.”
Especially if it has a drive-thru.
