Photo credit: Jack Fenby
St. Louis: House of Fine Ice Cream and Desserts has announced the opening of its newest gelateria in Glenelg next week. While the official grand opening is set for Friday December 13th, the store has been completed ahead of schedule and is already welcoming customers through its doors. What makes this opening even sweeter is it’s a special full-circle moment for founders George and Mesha Karamalis, and for the entire St. Louis team.
The new Glenelg location is opening at the exact spot where George’s late father, Arthur, first launched his ice cream business in 1993. Even more meaningful, the opening coincides with what would have been Arthur’s 78th birthday.
“The Glenelg location holds a special place in my heart,” Founder of St. Louis George Karamalis said. “It’s the exact premises where my father’s journey in ice cream began, it’s where I started working as a 15-year-old, and it’s actually where I met my wife, Mesha.”
“To be opening our Gelateria here, on his birthday, feels incredibly meaningful,” George said. “It is my hope that his legacy continues through me, and hopefully my children and future generations after that.”
St. Louis is a proud South Australian family-run business, with George and Mesha raising their three children while running the company together. George’s love for gelato goes way back – he grew up working in his father’s ice cream stores before traveling to Italy to master the craft and bring authentic gelato-making skills back to Adelaide.
Inspired by the famous Berthillon ice creamery in Paris, St. Louis’ gelato has earned recognition with several award-winning flavours, including Fior di Latte and Pistachio, both Top Gold Trophy winners at the 2024 SA Dairy Awards. Their Hazelnut gelato also took home Gold.
The new Glenelg Gelateria on Jetty Road will serve freshly made gelato daily, showcasing the artistry of traditional European-style gelato. Using local ingredients like Kangaroo Island honey and fruit from the Adelaide Central Market, the gelato is also a true taste of SA.
“Wherever we can, we buy from local suppliers and businesses. From the flour that we use to the fruit, dairy and beyond – we know how important it is support fellow producers,” St. Louis Co-Founder Mesha said.
The store will also feature a beautifully designed space by award-winning architect Hecker Guthrie and Blank Build.
Since the first St. Louis store opened on Adelaide’s Gouger Street in 2012, the brand has become incredibly popular in SA. Now, with 13 stores, including two in the Philippines, St. Louis is continuing to grow. There are even more locations planned for Prospect and Elizabeth in early 2025.
“Our focus has always been on quality and staying true to the artisan process, rather than chasing fleeting trends,” George said. “Our longevity in the market is testament to the fact that people are craving a European dessert experience right here at home”.
To celebrate the grand opening of the Glenelg Gelateria, St. Louis is giving away free gelato on Friday December 13th from 6pm to 8pm.
Grab your friends, head to Glenelg, and join in the celebration.
What: St. Louis: House of Fine Ice Cream and Desserts
Where: Jetty Road Glenelg
When: Officially opening Friday December 13th
Instagram: @stlouisaustralia
For more info, click here.
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