Property owner Carlos Chavez took the next step to building back the first new structure in Times Square. On Monday the Town Council moved his plan to build an ice cream shop and small residential unit to a second public hearing December 15th. There’s currently a mobile ice cream truck on the property.
Last month the LPA unanimously approved Chavez’ 3-story structure which will include a mobile ice cream unit on the ground floor and 2 floors of residential that the family will use on the 2nd and 3rd floors. Residential is allowed in the downtown district and Chavez says the rooms will not be rental units. “I plan to watch the sunsets.”
The former Kilwins Ice Cream location at 50 Old San Carlos is about .03 acres next to Bella Mozzarella, which the Chavez family also owns. Kilwins will not be returning to that location. The older building was totally destroyed by Hurricane Ian. The Bella Mozzarella building survived and after extensive repairs was able to reopen.
If the Town Council approves the project on December 15th, it will be called Meli’s Ice Cream. Chavez is ready to build now, however, the hearings will be followed by 6-8 months of permitting. He hopes to break ground in August of 2026, which, realistically puts any opening of the business in early 2027 if everything goes according to plan.
This is the first new Times Square project to come before the Town Council for consideration in the three years since Ian and it was the first Development Agreement used by a small mom-and-pop type business which was the original intent of the D.A.
The entire property is only 1,119 square feet.
