SHADYSIDE, OHIO — Kirke’s Ice Homemade Ice Cream is set to open a new location in Shadyside, featuring a coffee shop called Coffee Central in the same building. The shops will be situated at the former Chase Bank at 4001 Central Ave.
The ice cream shop will operate under the same hours as its St. Clairsville location, serving customers from noon to 9 p.m. during the summer months. The operating hours for Coffee Central are still being finalized.
Mark Porterfield, son of Kirke Porterfield, will manage both establishments. He aims to launch the coffee shop this winter, followed by the ice cream shop in mid-March, aligning with warmer weather. A drive-through service will also be available, maintaining the convenience previously offered by the Chase Bank.
Despite the off-season, Kirke’s Homemade Ice Cream will continue to sell its products by the gallon, ensuring that customers can enjoy their favorites year-round.
Porterfield expressed enthusiasm for the Shadyside community, noting, “I really started a few years ago, really got into the ice cream a lot. The past couple of years, I really grew passionate about ice cream. Everything that I did was ice cream, and I’m the next generation of it, so my goal is to show everybody and have everybody try our ice cream.”
Initially, Mark will be the sole employee at the shops, though he hopes to eventually involve his brother, Doug Porterfield, as the business expands. The focus will be on providing homemade ice cream and coffee, with plans to keep the menu straightforward. Should he decide to offer food items, Mark mentioned it would likely be similar to Starbucks, featuring grab-and-go options like coffee and muffins.
“A big thing that we want to serve is smiles and joy,” he added, emphasizing his goal of creating a welcoming atmosphere for the community.
Mark aims to foster a gathering place where locals can come together, socialize, and enjoy each other’s company. His decision to open a new location stems from a desire to expand Kirke’s brand, with support from local business owner Mike Derosa, who has played a significant role in facilitating the project.
Together, they hope to introduce something fresh to Shadyside, filling a community need for a new coffee and ice cream shop. Mark views this venture as a crucial step in his entrepreneurial journey and anticipates it will create job opportunities for local youth.
“I really want to grow this name and this brand,” he concluded. “This is my first shop, and it’s not the last.”
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