Handel’s Ice Cream opens new Victoria Gardens shop in Rancho Cucamonga

Handel’s Ice Cream will open a new scoop shop at Victoria Gardens in Rancho Cucamonga on June 18, with the first 100 guests in line receiving free ice cream for a year. The 1,600-square-foot store adds 48 rotating flavors, delivery, catering and a second local Handel’s outpost for the growing Inland Empire market.

Why it matters: - Handel’s Ice Cream is adding another location in Rancho Cucamonga, deepening its footprint in Southern California. - The opening gives Victoria Gardens shoppers a new dessert option from a brand built on fresh, made-in-store ice cream. - The launch also extends a local family-owned operation that already has more than two decades of history in Rancho Cucamonga.

What happened: - Handel’s Ice Cream will celebrate the grand opening of its new Victoria Gardens scoop shop on Thursday, June 18, starting at 11 a.m. - The store is at 7880 Kew Ave. in Rancho Cucamonga. - The first 100 guests in line on June 18 will receive Free Ice Cream for a Year. - Grand opening activities will continue through the weekend with raffles, a DJ, face painting and other giveaways. - Guests can check the event schedule or follow @handelsvictoriagardens for updates.

The details: - The Victoria Gardens location is owned and operated by Jesus Bautista and Zach Leffers. - The opening builds on the success of Handel’s existing Rancho Cucamonga shop on Haven Avenue. - The Haven Avenue location has served the city for more than 20 years. - The new shop is 1,600 square feet. - The store will serve 48 rotating flavors. - Customers can order pickup and delivery through DoorDash, Uber Eats and Postmates. - The shop also will offer catering. - Hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Sunday. - Zach Leffers said Handel’s makes ice cream fresh daily at each location, one batch at a time. - Leffers said guests can expect quality ingredients and generous servings at a premium value.

Between the lines: - The Victoria Gardens opening reflects Handel’s continued growth in established neighborhood and shopping-center locations. - The brand is leaning on a freshness-first message that separates it from larger, mass-production ice cream chains. - The local expansion also signals confidence in Rancho Cucamonga’s customer base and in the broader draw of Victoria Gardens.

What’s next: - Handel’s Victoria Gardens will begin serving customers after the June 18 grand opening. - The brand says it remains in growth mode, with more than 175 locations across 20 states. - More information is available on the store page and on Instagram at @handelsvictoriagardens.

The bottom line: - Handel’s is pairing a new Rancho Cucamonga location with a major opening-day giveaway to build traffic fast and strengthen its local presence.