Isla's Ice Cream Opens Saturday In Avon Lake

UPDATE: Isla's Ice Cream will open Saturday. The store is hosting a ceremonial ribbon cutting on Friday.

AVON LAKE, OH — Isla's Ice Cream is one of the few good things to come out of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Owner John Hyland said his shop became reality because the events of 2020 taught him, and everyone, that life is short. There is little time to chase your aspirations, so carpe diem.

“Isla’s Ice Cream is named after my daughter, Isla, who is obsessed with ice cream as much as I am,” said owner John Hyland. “Owning an ice cream shop was one of those childhood dreams I had, but sounded a little too awesome to actually be reality. However, if this pandemic taught me anything, it’s that life is too short to not follow dreams.”

Isla's Ice Cream — located at 140 Lear Road — is designed to be family friendly and welcoming. Hyland's own family lives just 3 minutes away from the store. Hyland's wife, Mikayla, owns Reflection Room, a tattoo business around the corner, and Isla's school is just down the street.

There's an updated party room for hosting events.

“This location is a dream come true,” Hyland said. "I am excited for things we have planned for the future. My goal is to create a safe and comfortable outdoor patio for families to enjoy.”

He has also updated a party room, which is available for rental.

“Getting ice cream with my family is one of those really great memories I have of being a kid,” Hyland said. “I hope that Isla’s can be a place that the families of Avon Lake can create those memories at too. We are excited to have you stop in and get a treat!”

From a city perspective, the addition of Isla's Ice Cream reflects a broader focus on improving the walkability of Lear Road, according to Ted Esborn, the city's economic development director.

“In our city planning, the Lear Road focus area is all about walkability and creating places where people want to spend time. An ice cream shop is one of the very best things for achieving that goal. We look forward to Avon Lakers enjoying the ice cream—and enjoying it ourselves!” Esborn said.