Ice cream shop opens in Holman's Homestead

One of Summerside's most historic landmarks has been saved from the wrecking ball and turned into an ice cream shop.

Saturday marked the official opening of Holman's Ice Cream Parlour in the old Holman Homestead.

• Summerside's Holman Homestead hosts plant giveaway

• Crowdsourcing cleaning: Owners of Holman Homestead to host 'cleaning party'

• Holman Homestead gets new lease on life

The house was set for demolition in January until Ken and Jenny Meister purchased it much to the joy of those fighting to keep it alive, including descendants of the Holman family.

"It's very very rewarding to me as a Holman to have a piece of my history preserved and that of my family," said Peter Holman. "For them to take on this task and restore this building and prevent it from the wrecking ball is just phenomenal."

The Meisters have wanted to run an ice cream shop since living in a small town in northwestern Germany.

We've had many people say just how happy they are to be able to come inside and to be in the gardens and to be welcome.- Jenny Meister

"There was a small ice cream parlour there called Ice Paradise and people went from miles and miles around to come this little ice cream parlour and we thought it would be fantastic to run something like that," Ken said.

When the renovations are complete, theHolman Homestead will also be used as an inn.

"Many people in the community have memories of of this property," Jenny said. "We've had many people say just how happy they are to be able to come inside and to be in the gardens and to be welcome."

• MORE P.E.I. NEWS | Roll with it: Where to find P.E.I.'s best lobster roll

• MORE P.E.I. NEWS | Foxy facts: 8 things to know about P.E.I. foxes