New ice cream shop holds grand opening celebration

SALEM, Ohio (WKBN) – A new ice cream shop with an ’80s-themed twist in Salem held a grand opening celebration Saturday.

Totally 80s Ice Ice Cream Shoppe is located in the Courtyard Square at 657 E. State Street, filling part of the space vacated by Killy’s Kauldron. Owner Mike Thorpe said the name references a popular song from the decade.

Walking into the shop will be like a blast from the past, complete with ’80s-themed decor, toys and throwback cartoons. There will also be ’80s-themed games available for guests to play.

The venture is a joint effort by Mike Thorpe and his wife Emelissa, along with some help from their three children.

“It’s more of a throwback, a place where you can put the cellphones down for a minute [and enjoy] more of a simpler time,” Thorpe told First News.

The shop will sell Hershey’s Hand-Dipped Ice Cream, along with other ice cream novelties, such as its signature Quake Shakes and ice cream nachos. Non-ice cream items will also be offered, including cotton candy and other miscellaneous throw-back candies. The store has partnered with That’s A Wrap to sell pepperoni rolls, and Thorpe says it is working on and welcomes further community partnerships.

One element that Thorpe said helps Totally 80s stand out from other local businesses in the area is its price. He said on average, the store will offer 2 ounces more than the average parlor for the same price.

Thorpe said the store is also working to add in a curbside delivery service, hopefully within the coming weeks.

Regular store hours will be from noon until 9 p.m. daily.

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