fbpx

NW Calgary has You Covered for National Ice Cream Month

July 9, 2018

The Oldest Ice Cream Shop in Calgary, Lic’s is a 35-year Old Local Institution for Cool Treats.


Whether you fancy a simple soft serve, or double and triple scoops of your favourite flavours, ice cream (or alternative options) can bring families and friends together. With ice cream shops all across Calgary, the NW has the right mix of old and new to satisfy your cravings and host your get togethers. Are you ready to try something new for the summer?


Nothing celebrates the season like a creamy, and downright dreamy, scoop of ice cream.  And though the summers seem short, Calgarians know a thing or two about enjoying this frozen sweet treat at anytime.


Just ask Leavitt’s Ice Cream Shop, fondly known as Lic’s, which set up shop in the NW Calgary community of Parkdale 35 years ago, and is still scooping up favourite flavours for long-time and new customers.


“Our passion for ice cream runs deep – three generations deep! It was nurtured from a young age by my grandparents,” recalls Elizabeth Leavitt, who owns Lic’s with her husband, Bryce Leavitt.

 

 

A Love Affair with Ice Cream


As toddlers, Elizabeth and Bryce, used to stand anxiously by and watch their grandparents as they cranked their hand-churned ice cream.


The family-owned and operated ice cream shop officially started in June of 1982 when Elizabeth, Bryce and her in-laws decided to open a modest shop serving sweet scoops of ice-cream goodness to NW Calgary patrons. In her 20s, Elizabeth found herself behind the counter with scooper in hand and helped create the legendary Lic’s dynasty.


“We’re so family-oriented and really wanted a place where our customers felt like family too. To this day, we have stayed true to our humble beginnings,” she says. “Displayed around the shop are family-owned vintage pieces, including a 1920’s cash register that belonged to my grandparents. It gives our customers that family-grown feel.”

 

Wouldn’t it be great to meet people in your community and get a chance to go for a bike ride or leisurely stroll while indulging in a delicious scoop of ice cream? Learn how PlayCity makes it possible

 

An Ice Cream Experience for the Family


In the early days, Lic’s offered flavours that were fairly simple– chocolate, neapolitan, vanilla, butterscotch – the typical North American ice cream fare.


Fast forward 35 years, the most popular varieties include new must-try summer flavours like mango sorbet and salted caramel. For those seeking more traditional flavours, try all-time classics like:

 

  • black cherry
  • triple chocolate brownie
  • pistachio and almonds
  • cotton candy
  • New York cherry cheesecake!


With 44 flavours on display at any given time and a frozen yogurt bar with nine different fruit options, it’s tough to pick your flavour of the day. Or come back to try them all!


The best part is that there are options for everyone. Whether you’re diabetic, have a gluten allergy or are lactose intolerant, Lic’s has something for everyone. Now, everyone can take part in the Lic’s experience.

 

Want to know what retailers you can expect to see in University District? Take a look here.

 

 

Lic’s Welcomes University District to the Neighbourhood


Lic’s is just a short trip away from University District. Elizabeth is familiar with the route because she passes by NW Calgary’s newest urban development every day on her way to open shop.


“It’s exciting to see it come to life. Before, the hillside was overgrown. University District is beautifying the area and as a neighbour, we appreciate it.  It’s creating the hope for a greater sense of community.”


Year after year, NW Calgary’s favourite ice cream shop has been welcoming sweet-tooth fans – new and long-time customers – who have made a visit to Lic’s a summer tradition.


“As University District develops, we’re excited to meet new families and neighbours to help them start a new summer tradition with us.  These connections are part of what makes NW Calgary so special.”

 

 

Must-visit NW Calgary Ice Cream Shops


Whether you’re looking for a new ice cream shop to cool off at during the hot summer days, or you simply have that craving, treat yourself and your Instagram feed to some of the most delicious scoops our city has to offer. Explore the best ice cream shops in NW Calgary – you don’t even need an excuse because July is National Ice Cream Month! 

 

1.  Leavitt’s Ice Cream Shop (Lic’s)

      Where: 3410 3rd Avenue N.W.
      Number of flavours: 44 flavours on display
      Don’t miss: Pistachio & Almond

 

2.  Angel’s Cappuccino & Ice Cream Café

      Where: 4105 Montgomery View N.W.
      Number of flavours: 8 flavours
      Don’t miss: Superhero

 

3.  Amato Gelato

      Where: 2104 Kensington Road N.W.
      Number of flavours: 36 flavours on rotation
      Don’t miss: Cookies and Cream

 

4.  Sweet Haven Ice Cream

      Where: 918 Centre Street North
      Number of flavours: 7 flavours
      Don’t miss: S’mores

 

5.  Made by Marcus

      Where: 221 19th ST NW
      Number of flavours: 24 flavours
      Don’t miss: Tahitian Vanilla Bean

Have a Northwest Calgary ice cream shop that we missed from the list? Share your favourite ice cream flavour or go to ice cream shop with us and the community on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.


Join the Discussion

Comments are moderated before being posted. Your email address is required but will not be published.

Join our email list for more information and our newsletter.
I'm interested in learning more about:
Popular Keywords
Sneak Peek: A First Look at the New CHARCUT Restaurant at Alt Hotel University District
Unveiling Magna: Elevating Urban Living in University District with Jayman BUILT
Save the Date: U/D’s Free Winter Pop-Ups are Back
See All Blog Posts
2018 milestones, 2023, A year in review, active, Activity, Age-friendly community, Aging in place, Alberta, Alberta Children's Hospital, All ages, ALT Hotel, Alt Hotels, amenities, Ana Cummings, Analog Coffee, apartment rental, Aria, Artisan Pizza, Artist, August, August by Avi Urban, Avi Urban, Bakeries, baking tips, Balcony, Balcony Decor, BBQ, beard grooming, Bike routes, BILD Awards, Blaze Pizza, Bliss & Co. Cupcakes and Desserts, Block Party, blockbuster movie night, Bookstores, Bragg Creek, Breakfast, Brenda Stafford Foundation, Brenda Strafford Foundation, Brookfield Residential, Brunch, Bubble Tea, Bucket List, Budget, Budget conscious, Buiders, Building Industry and Land Development, Calgary, Calgary Activities, Calgary Art, Calgary bakeries, Calgary business, Calgary community, Calgary Drinks, Calgary events, Calgary Fitness, Calgary Hearing, Calgary LRT, Calgary Parks, Calgary Real Estate, Calgary restaurants, Calgary staycation, Calgary tourism, Calgary Trails, Calgary Transit, Calgary Women, Calypso's Green Taverna, Cambridge Manor, Canada, Canada Day, Canmore, Capella, Cartwright lighting & furniture, Celebration, centerpieces, Central Commons, Charcut, charity, cineplex, Classes, Cochrane, comfort food, Community, community festival, Community Living, condo life, condos, connections, contest, cookie baking, cookie recipes, cookies, cooking, cooking together, Copper Branch, Creative, Cuisine et Chateau, Curious Hair, Curious Salon, Date Ideas, Date night, Decor, Decor Shops, Decor Tips, Denim & Smith, Dental, dental care, design styles, Dining, Discovery Centre, DIY, DIY Skincare, Do-It-Yourself, dog park, Dogs, Downsize, downsizing, downsizing tips, Easter, Eco decor, eLearning, Entertainment, environment, Esquire by Truman, Euphoria Cafe, events, exercise, Explore, Fall, Fall Decor, fall design, family, family-run wineries, FAQ, Father's Day, Financial, fitness, fitness as we age, food, food waste, Freshii, Functional Fitness, Garden Maintenance, gardening, gift guide, giving back, golf, Green Calgary, Grey Cup, Group Germain Hotels, guide, Guide to Northwest Calgary, gym, hair grooming, Health, Healthy Eating, Healthy Foods, Hearing loss, Helen Youn, Higher Ground, Hillhurst Flea Market, hobbies, holiday, holiday activities, Holiday Budget, holiday memories, Holiday movies, holiday parties, holiday season, holiday traditions, holiday wines, home, Home Automation, home decor, Home Maintenance, home office, Home organization, Home Technology, homemade pizza, Homeowners, honey, hosting the holidays, housing, I Can for Kids, IBI Group, Ice Cream, Ice Cream Shops, Ice Rink, inclusive, Interior Design, Interior Design for your pets, Interior Design Tips, interior lighting, International Womens Day, Isolation, J.Webb Market Wines, James Robertson, Jayman BUILT, Kananaskis, Kananaskis Nordic Spa, keep kids entertained at home, kids learning, KonMari, Level Playing Field, Life at Maple, lighting, local, local business, local good, Love on Main Street, love your pet, Lunch, made in Calgary, Magna, making pizza, Making Pizza Pie, Maple, Maple by Truman, Marie Kondo, Market Wines, McKinley Burkart, meal prep, meals, mens grooming, mental health, mindful spaces, Monogram Coffee, Mother's Day Brunch, Movies at home, moving, multi-generational, National Ice Cream Month, Nature, New at UD, New homes, New Projects, New Resident, Night Market, Noble, North Calgary, North Hill Mall, North Pond, Northwest Bookstores, Northwest Calgary, Northwest Calgary Brunch, Northwest Commons Park, Northwest neighbour, Northwestival, nutrition tips, NW Calgary, OEB Breakfast Co., Office, Olympic Oval, online learning, oolong tea house, Orangetheory, Orangetheory Fitness, orangetheoryfitness, Organization, outdoors, Park n' Play Design, Parks, Partners, party hosting tips, Patio Decor, pet care, pet love, Pet Planet, Pets, Photography, pizza dough, pizza toppings, plant, plant care, play space, Playcore National Demonstration Site, playground, Press'd, Press'd Sandwich Shop, Programs, puppy love, Questions and Answers, rafting, Reading, real estate, recipes, redecorating, rent to own, rentals, restaurant, Retail, Retail Main Street, retailers, Rightsize, Rohit, Romance, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Rosé, Sandwich, Save-On-Foods, Scotiabank, screen time, seasonal maintenance, Secrets, senior health, Senior living, Seniors, sensory gadgets, shop local, single-level residences, Skating, Smaller space living, Smart Home, Smoothie bowl recipe, social media contest, Spark Joy, sparkling wine, Sports, Spring, Staples, Staycation, Summer Activities, Summer Bucket List, Summer Cocktails, Summer Drinks, Summer Food, summer getaways, Summer Mocktails, sustainability, sustainable design, table setting, tablescape, Tailgate Party, Tailgating, Thanksgiving, The IVY, The Space Reclaimers, things to do, tips, tourism calgary, townhome, townhome living, townhouse living, Trails in Northwest Calgary, travel, travel alberta, TREC Dental, Truman, Truman Homes, U/D, UCalgary, UD Life, UDLife, University District, University District Dental, University of Calgary, Urban Balcony, urban dog park, Urban Garden, Urban Patio Decor, Valentines Day, Vegan Cuisine, Vegan Food, Vendors, vermicomposting, Village Ice Cream, Volunteer, Volunteerism, Walking, West Campus Development Trust, Wilco Contractors, Wine, wine experience, Winefest, Winsport Zipline, winter, winter activities, winter festival, Winter Fitness, winter fun, winter memories, winter pet care, winter pet care tips, winter traditions, winter warm up, Winter workout, women grooming, Women Leaders, workouts, Yard, year in review, YYC Cycle, YYC Events, YYC Hot Chocolate Fest

Discover NW Calgary's most interesting places, people and things

Visit Our Channel

Looking for something to do in NW Calgary?

Check Out Our Event Calendar

The University District blog is a resource for Calgarians who want to live, work, play, visit or buy in the northwest. We will provide you with information, stories, news and a closer look at the things that matter so you can live a more inspired, active and connected life in NW Calgary at University District… Life works here.