TX Creamery and Hey Sugar cut the ribbon Thursday on their shared storefront at 301 West Main Street, bringing ice‑cream making back to a downtown Denison building that dates to the 1880s. The opening marks the culmination of a project that took more than two years, according to TX Creamery president and CEO Jeff Persichitte.

Denison Chamber of Commerce President Diana Theall praised the revival, saying, “Who doesn’t love a good ice cream?” and likening the event to “Christmas after the long wait.” She added that the building’s return to life is “heartwarming to see this building come to life again.” Theall noted that the property had been empty since she arrived in 2018 and remained vacant until TX Creamery purchased it.

Founder Kristin Brittan said the smaller‑city vibe and welcoming community were key factors in choosing Denison, noting the city’s incentives and resident support. General manager and executive chef Chris Spradlin highlighted the building’s past as a hotel with the White Elephant Saloon restaurant, and explained that the shop’s menu reflects that history.

Two Denison‑specific flavors draw directly from the building’s legacy. “White Elephant” blends honey, lemon and almond ice cream with crushed ladyfingers and a ribbon of white chocolate, inspired by an 1889 Christmas dinner menu. “Yellow Jacket” features lemon ice cream mixed with frosted lemon cake pieces and swirled with fudge.

Customers can watch the ice‑cream production line from the sidewalk, a feature Persichitte said will be especially popular on Fridays and Saturdays when families gather. The shop is open daily at 11 a.m., with the viewing area available during those weekend hours.

According to KXII, the building once housed a hotel and the White Elephant Saloon, and the new tenants have incorporated that heritage into both décor and flavor offerings.

What’s next: TX Creamery and Hey Sugar will continue daily service at 11 a.m., with scheduled ice‑cream‑making demonstrations on Fridays and Saturdays, inviting Denison residents to experience the process firsthand.

Sources: denisonweekly.news, kten.com