Storied ice cream hawkers, Goff’s Drive In (Facebook), were forced to close in May 2022 following a fire set by an Alfred Jerome Kirkland, according to Orlando Police. The owners worked hard to try to repair the ice cream shop but weren’t able to overcome all of the obstacles and inevitably never reopened.
The shop, which is located at 212 S. Orange Blossom Trail [GMap], first opened in 1948. They were allegedly firebombed in 1951 by the KKK for serving Black guests in the same line as white people.
Now, under the guidance of new owners and Orlando natives Eric MacIntosh and Jelani Gray, the beloved ice cream shop is set to reopen on Saturday, November 4 at 2 p.m., but under a new name.
Sweetie’s Ice Cream (Instagram) will host a number of other vendors at their grand opening event, along with games, music, free candy, and more. A menu is yet to be shared publicly.
