Bev's Homemade Ice Cream, a Carytown staple for nearly two decades. (Photo by Stephanie Breijo)
[3/30/17 Update: This week, Bev's announced via the company's Facebook page that the popular ice cream shop will reopen on Saturday, April 1, offering special ice cream flavors alongside familiar favorites. Stop by from noon to 10 p.m.]
While most of the city was sleeping or preparing Thanksgiving feasts, Beverly Mazursky received a call bringing terrible news: An electrical fire had broken out around midnight on Thursday morning at her ice cream shop, Bev's Homemade Ice Cream, a Carytown institution of roughly 18 years.
"It's unbelievable what a little wire can do to a whole store, and a whole building," she says.
According to Mazursky, the fire began in the bathroom, just off the kitchen, and spread through the back of the shop, causing damage that builders estimate will take four to six months to repair. The computer is destroyed, and Mazursky says she can't get any mail. There's smoke damage, and the ice cream parlor and café's machines must be washed and cleaned before officials can ascertain what's still usable. Still, Mazursky says she has a lot to be thankful for.
"I just want to say how thankful we are that nobody was hurt and no one was in the building. Everyone is safe. The second thing is, I want to say a big thank you to all the fire people who came to help; they did a great job," she says. "And I would like to thank all of the people the insurance company sent [from Sermat Construction Services] to help with the cleanup. I just want to give them all a big hearty thank you for everything, especially the firemen."
Mazursky will be taking a break from both retail and wholesale as she works to reopen the shop, but notes that fans can find Bev's ice cream at a number of local sellers, including Crossroads Coffee & Ice Cream, The Mill on MacArthur, Liberty Public House, Joe's Inn and Proper Pie Co., until supplies run out. "We'll be glad to see all of our friends again in a few months," she shares.
Already looking ahead and thinking of others, Mazursky — much beloved in the community herself — is brainstorming ways that she can give back to those helping her now, especially to the fire department, whether it is through an event or gift certificates. "How can you not?" she asks.
Bev's Homemade Ice Cream is located at 2911 W. Cary St. and is estimated to reopen in four to six months.