Handel’s Ice Cream is headed to GSQ, downtown Goodyear’s 150-acre civic and retail district, with a planned early-2027 opening. Franchisee Joseph Maher has said building construction on the shop is already underway. The scoop shop is set to join a wave of national and regional restaurants and services filling out the city’s new downtown core.
Local Timeline And Who’s Behind It
In an interview with WhatNow, Maher said the Goodyear store “won’t open until the first quarter of 2027” and that “they just started construction on the building.” The Better Business Bureau lists Maher as the owner of a Handel’s location in Surprise, confirming his role as a Valley franchisee.
GSQ Buildout And Neighbors
The City of Goodyear's news page lists Paris Baguette, Zara Nail Bar, Berry Divine and Magdaleña and includes Handel’s on the roster for an early-2027 debut, according to the City of Goodyear. Local coverage on acai bowls plotting a sweet landing and the GSQ directory from RED Development map the project’s tenant mix as the development fills out around Trader Joe’s, First Watch and Kura Revolving Sushi Bar.
Handel’s Growth And Menu
Handel’s started in Youngstown, Ohio, in 1945 and has expanded rapidly over the decades. A company release covered by Nation’s Restaurant News put the brand at more than 170 locations across roughly 18 states as of late 2025. The chain emphasizes batch-made ice cream and a rotating roster of flavors, according to Handel’s.
What The Goodyear Shop Will Look Like
Local reporting pegs the GSQ Handel’s at about 1,800 square feet, with a patio and outdoor seating designed to serve as a neighborhood gathering spot, according to Fabulous Arizona. That smaller footprint and the brand’s counter-service model fit the GSQ vision of day-to-night activity in a compact, walkable center, a goal developers have highlighted in public releases.
Maher has not offered a firm opening date beyond the first quarter of 2027, and developers say specific storefront timelines will be announced as permitting and construction progress. For updates on hiring and an official grand-opening date, check the GSQ directory from RED Development and Handel’s.
