Klavon's Ice Cream Parlor

Klavon's Ice Cream Parlor A Pittsburgh tradition and landmark for over a 100 years. Life, community, family, happiness, & ice cream happens here! And WOW, the ice cream was stellar." J.
(1020)

OUR HISTORY

"Ah ice cream, like so much in Pittsburgh, Klavon’s is housed in a building whose construction dates back to the late 19th century. This was Pittsburgh’s transition from iron works to steel works. Surviving floods, wars, economic downturns and more, Klavon’s building stands sturdily in the Strip District. A monument to perseverance, one could argue Pittsburgh’s primary trait… neighbor

hood apothecary? Great, I’ll take my meds with ice cream any day. Mays, Host – Seared

James and Mary Klavon first opened Klavon’s in 1923 as a neighborhood apothecary and ice cream shop. After years of serving the community, the shop closed in 1979 and sat dormant for two decades. When the old drugstore soda fountain was reopened in 1999, it was like stepping into a time capsule. James and Mary’s eight grandchildren and a cousin teamed up to transform the old pharmacy into a full-service ice cream parlor, conserving the original features that made it such a colorful place to visit. With its original marble countertops, stainless steel fountain equipment, revolving stools that were originally fashioned to look like Coca-Cola bottle caps, and wooden phone booths, Klavon’s is reminiscent of the kind of place in which a young George Bailey worked in It’s a Wonderful Life. Visitors of all ages will enjoy seeing the apothecary jars displayed along the walls and shopping at the old-time candy counter still stocked with penny candy. While you're visiting, be sure to look for the mark above the phone booths that shows how high the floodwaters reached on St. Patrick's Day of 1936. As the story goes, James and Mary's son, Raymond, was in early that morning to move the basement stock and equipment to the safety of the first floor. Back then, spring thaws generally brought a foot or so of water into the basement for a few days, but that year the waters rose much higher and faster, driving Raymond and his cousins to the top floor. They were rescued the following morning by rowboat, and had to exit through the windows above the phone booths that still stand in the parlor today. Jacob and Desiree Hanchar and their children fell in love with the local ice cream parlor when they visited this popular spot during the summer of 2011. Two years later, the couple purchased Klavon’s. They continue to carry on the tradition of creating delicious treats from high-quality ingredients at a reasonable price—even improving on the original by offering delicious ice cream made in house after taking the Penn State Creamery course!

In honor of our recognition on Yelp, we are offering a free topping on all orders this week! Be sure to mention this pos...
01/03/2024

In honor of our recognition on Yelp, we are offering a free topping on all orders this week! Be sure to mention this post when you come in.

08/17/2023

Let's party!

Second annual cadet girls fire camp.
08/13/2023

Second annual cadet girls fire camp.

Thanks for the awesome time Good Morning America!
08/09/2023

Thanks for the awesome time Good Morning America!

The Steel City is the birthplace of one of America’s favorite desserts, the banana split, and ABC News' Ike Ejiochi is at Acrisure Stadium to talk about the city's history with the sweet treat.

Tune in tomorrow, August 9th at 8 am EST to watch us make a traditional banana split with Good Morning America!
08/09/2023

Tune in tomorrow, August 9th at 8 am EST to watch us make a traditional banana split with Good Morning America!

10 years ago when we took over the shop.
08/01/2023

10 years ago when we took over the shop.

07/16/2023

Fire Truck has arrived.

07/16/2023

Free balloon and paint tattoo artists for the kids.

07/16/2023

We're grillin and chillin.

07/16/2023

Let's get the party started!

Ray, we dedicate this day to you!Credit: Jennifer Szerszynski; about a month after he reopened.
07/16/2023

Ray, we dedicate this day to you!

Credit: Jennifer Szerszynski; about a month after he reopened.

Address

2801 Penn Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA
15222

Opening Hours

Monday 4pm - 8pm
Tuesday 1pm - 8pm
Wednesday 1pm - 8pm
Thursday 1pm - 8pm
Friday 1pm - 9pm
Saturday 1pm - 9pm
Sunday 1pm - 7pm

Telephone

(412) 434-0451

Website

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