Detroit Water Ice Factory Swings Open Tuesday With Free Dessert

The non-profit Detroit Water Ice Factory will be unveiled today, the shop reveals in a release The first 300 people to visit the shop will receive a free cup of water ice, a creamy frozen dessert similar to Italian Ice. Detroit Free Press columnist Mitch Albom founded the shop that will donate all proceeds from sales to his charity, S.A.Y. Detroit. Bedrock Real Estate provided the Compuware Building suite (previously occupied by a Goodwill-operated Ben & Jerry's) rent-free.

Water ice is a popular treat in both Philadelphia and New Jersey. The shop will offer Motown-inspired flavors such as Vanilla Temptations, Stafford's Strawberry Lemonade, Corvette Cherry, Yooper Orange Cream, Woodward Watermelon, the Zetterberry (Swedish Fish!), Bo's Black Cherry Bordeaux, Chocolate Peanut Butter, reports the Free Press. Albom tells his home paper he was able to convince the owners of Primo's Water Ice, a Westmont, New Jersey staple, to reveal their recipes for the Detroit stand. Detroit Water Ice Factory opens today at 11 a.m.

Detroit Water Ice Factory's hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays.