AUSTINTOWN, Ohio (WKBN), April 2, 2025 — A local entrepreneur is bringing a blast from the past to Austintown with the opening of a second location for his nostalgic ice cream shop, Totally 80s Ice Ice Cream Shoppe.
Mike Thorpe is set to transport customers back to the vibrant 1980s, a decade known for iconic pop culture moments like Boom Boom Mancini’s boxing triumph, high school football games at South High, and the early days of the Shaker Woods Festival. The new shop, located on Raccoon Road, promises a fun-filled, retro experience for families in the area.
“We want all the kids to come in and feel like Ric Flair, and just go, ‘Wooo,’ when they come in. It’s going to be pretty exciting,” Thorpe shared as he gave a tour of the space, acknowledging that while there’s still work to be done, he’s excited about the reaction the shop will receive when it opens.
The new location will feature a wide range of nostalgic games, including Ms. PacMan, Connect Four, and Galaga—all available for free to customers. Thorpe believes the games offer a positive space for children to enjoy and look back on fondly.
“I mean, there’s so many things out there for kids that maybe have a negative impact. This is a positive place for them to be able to go and be part of their childhood when they look back,” he said.
For adults, the décor will stir memories of Ghostbusters and Michael Jackson’s era-defining music and style. In addition to the classic games, the shop will feature nostalgic candy, cotton candy, and a selection of old-time drinks, rounding out the experience for visitors of all ages.
However, the heart of Totally 80s is still its ice cream. “Ice cream makes everybody happy. I think Nick Saban said it best when he said, ‘You want to make everybody happy? Sell ice cream,’” Thorpe joked, echoing the universal appeal of the frozen treat.
The first Totally 80s location, which opened in Salem nearly a year ago, has already proven successful, and Thorpe believes the Austintown location will follow suit. He’s also launching an ice cream truck, which will bring the nostalgic vibes to neighborhoods, complete with old-school music and, of course, ice cream.
“I’m looking to do it in neighborhoods, kind of like the old-fashioned feel,” Thorpe explained. “We’ll have some of the old-fashioned music with a little ’80s mix. Keep it down a little bit, sell some ice cream, and enjoy the kids.”
While the new shop is still under construction and awaiting an occupancy permit, Thorpe hopes to have Totally 80s up and running by the end of the month, adding another sweet spot for the local community to enjoy.
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