After five years scooping on East Carson Street, Churn is pulling the plug on its South Side shop this Saturday, with owner Kelley Costa pointing to repeated vandalism, theft and harassment of employees as the breaking point.
The woman-owned coffee-and-ice-cream spot became a neighborhood staple, but Costa said the steady stream of trouble finally made the South Side storefront unsustainable. While the lights go out on East Carson, the Fox Chapel outpost will stay open as she reorganizes operations and shifts more energy toward wholesale partnerships and a planned new location.
In an interview with TribLIVE, Costa stressed that the South Side closure “would not mark the end of Churn.” She told the outlet she plans to open a new shop in McCandless this fall while expanding wholesale partnerships with local food businesses. TribLIVE also reported the South Side spot, in business for five years, will shut its doors on Saturday.
Fox Chapel Location to Stay Open
Churn is not disappearing from the region. The company’s website highlights its remaining locations along with catering, wholesale ordering and a full espresso bar. According to Churn, the Fox Chapel shop at Hartwood Towne Centre will continue to serve customers even as the South Side storefront closes.
East Carson Push to Revive the Strip
Churn’s exit comes as local leaders try to steady East Carson Street. The East Carson Street Business District program launched in January 2025, and the corridor has seen roughly two dozen new businesses open this year. Still, the perception problem lingers.
According to the district and reporting by The Duquesne Duke, district manager Susan Anderson said that changing public perception of the strip remains an ongoing challenge, even as vacancies fall and new storefronts fill in.
Neighbors Head Out for Last Scoops
In the days leading up to the shutdown, regulars have been stopping by for one last cone on East Carson, some telling reporters they wanted a final visit before the doors close, as reported by TribLIVE.
Costa said she will now focus on growing Churn’s wholesale business and on opening the McCandless shop this fall, while keeping Churn’s other locations operational.
