Just three months after Miami Beach residents mourned the closure of The Frieze, a beloved ice cream shop that served the community for nearly 40 years, there’s good news for ice cream lovers — the shop has reopened. The original owners have come out of retirement, relaunching the business under a new name, Ice Cream Factory, in homage to its original identity, The Frieze Ice Cream Factory.
First opening its doors in 1986 at 1626 Michigan Ave., near what is now Lincoln Road Mall, The Frieze became a cherished spot for generations of South Florida families and locals. For decades, it was known for its classic American ice cream and sorbets. However, on June 27, the shop bid an emotional farewell to its loyal patrons, leaving a void in the community.
The overwhelming response from the community in the wake of the closure convinced Robert and Lisa Warren, the original owners, to reconsider their decision. Realizing the deep connection locals had with their business, the Warrens sought out new partners to help revive the ice cream parlor.
“The original owners, Robert and Lisa, approached my husband and me to reopen the shop, but with a new name,” explained Vicky Brejt, a partner in the revamped Ice Cream Factory. “We rebranded it but brought back the original recipes, ice creams, and sorbets. They wanted to preserve the legacy they had built over so many years. They heard so many stories from the ’90s and 2000s, and it was clear how much the shop meant to people. While they wanted to retire, they didn’t want to let go of it completely — and it’s working out beautifully.”
The Warrens, heartbroken by the abrupt closure, were deeply moved by the community’s reaction. “We were shocked by how final it felt, and the community was too. We didn’t expect the closure to be permanent, but now that it’s back, everyone is thrilled,” said Brejt.
Brejt and her husband, longtime residents and business owners in Miami Beach, were the ideal partners for the Warrens’ vision of reviving the ice cream shop. “We live near the original owners, so everything fell into place at the perfect time,” she added.
With the reopening, the Ice Cream Factory is serving many of the same iconic flavors that longtime fans remember, including the popular “Champagne” gelato and “Cappuccino Chip” ice cream. Other favorites making a comeback include tropical flavors like guava, mango, lychee, and mamey, as well as “Bacci” and chocolate caramel chip. “We have around 40 flavors right now,” Brejt noted.
As the doors to Ice Cream Factory reopen, the Warrens, Brejt, and her husband are hopeful that the shop’s loyal customers from years past will return, eager to once again enjoy their favorite sweet treats from a beloved local institution.
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