Klavon's Ice Cream Parlor is for sale

Klavon's Ice Cream Parlor, which made national news for receiving over a thousand applicants after doubling their wages from Pennsylvania's minimum wage of $7.25 an hour to $15 an hour in 2021, is now on the market. Owner Jacob Hanchar announced on March 21 that the popular Strip District ice cream shop, which first opened in 1923, is for sale.

"I've enjoyed all of it," says Hanchar in a written statement, which says his other business, robotics company Digital Dream Labs, needs his full attention. "I think it's been a good ride. It's bittersweet. But I'm not able to give the shop the attention it  deserves."
Both the business and the building are for sale, and Hanchar says he plans to continue operating the shop as is until he finds a new owner.

The Penn Avenue ice cream parlor is a popular local destination for both locals and tourists, and since opening nearly a century ago, has passed through multiple owners, survived floods, and a two-decade long closure.

"We had record sales in 2019," says Hanchar. "Then 2020 and the pandemic kicked our butt and cut our revenue in half. In 2022, I expect us to get back to 2019 levels."

The news of the sale follows a December 2021 announcement that Klavon's would be expanding to Cleveland, and accepting franchise applications to open up Klavon's locations in other cities. According to Hanchar, those plans continue. "Everything that Klavon's was doing before is full steam ahead still including the franchising," he adds.

“I want to thank the staff, the customers and the city of Pittsburgh for all the support throughout the years, particularly these past few,” says Hanchar. “It’s been an amazing ride.”

Those interested in purchasing the ice cream parlor should email [email protected].