Pittsburgh-based Millie’s Homemade Ice Cream will open its first Maryland location on Thursday, September 10, at Downtown Crown in Gaithersburg.
The new scoop shop will be located at 202 Ellington Boulevard in the space most recently occupied by The Crepe Shoppe before its relocation to 230 Crown Park Avenue.
The Gaithersburg location will be operated by Usha Volate, a Frederick County resident who has lived in the area for 17 years and is Millie’s first Maryland-based franchise partner. Volate said she was drawn to the brand’s ice cream, welcoming atmosphere and potential to connect with families in the community.
The menu will feature Millie’s chef-inspired grass-fed dairy ice creams and dairy-free gelatos by the scoop and pint, along with homemade waffle cones, shakes and sundaes. The company also offers vegan, gluten-free and allergen-friendly options.
Founded in Pittsburgh in 2014 by husband-and-wife team Chad and Lauren Townsend, Millie’s began as a small homemade ice cream operation in the couple’s kitchen. The business has since grown to 16 brick-and-mortar locations across the Pittsburgh, Jacksonville, Lubbock and Buffalo areas, including several university locations.
Millie’s produces its ice cream at its facility in Homestead, Pennsylvania, using dairy sourced from Twin Brook Dairy Company in Western Pennsylvania. The company also emphasizes regional sourcing, partnerships with farmers and artisans, and compostable serving ware.
The September 10 opening will mark Millie’s debut in Maryland and its first location in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.
