Heladita Ice Cream Shop Opens in Chandler Food City

New Hispanic-inspired ice cream and paleta shop brings traditional flavors to Arizona grocery store.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 11:23am

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Food City is opening a new Heladita ice cream and paleta shop at its Chandler, Arizona location, featuring a variety of Hispanic-inspired flavors like mango, tamarind, and cajeta. The shop will have a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday and offer free samples on Saturday, as part of the grand opening celebration.

Why it matters

The opening of Heladita inside a Food City grocery store highlights the growing demand for authentic Hispanic food and dessert options, catering to the diverse communities that Food City serves across Arizona. It also demonstrates how grocery stores are evolving to become more than just a place to buy staple items, but a destination for unique culinary experiences.

The details

Heladita will offer handmade ice cream and paletas (Mexican ice pops) with a wide range of flavors inspired by traditional Hispanic cuisine, including mango, tamarind, coconut milk, cookies and cream, strawberry cheesecake, pistachio, bubble gum, and cajeta. The new shop will be open daily from 11am to 7pm and will also feature special chocolate-themed ice creams for National Chocolate Month in February.

  • The Chandler Heladita location will have a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at 11am.
  • Free samples will be offered at the Chandler Heladita on Saturday, January 31, 2026 from 11am to 1pm.
  • An additional Heladita location is set to open in Phoenix near 91st Avenue and Thomas Road on February 4, 2026.
  • More Heladita locations are planned to open in select Food City stores across Arizona over the next three months.

The players

Food City

A Hispanic-focused grocery store chain operating in Arizona.

Heladita

An ice cream and paleta shop featuring Hispanic-inspired flavors and culture, opening inside select Food City locations.

Carrie Strait

The brand manager for Food City.

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What they’re saying

“Food City is always looking for innovative, meaningful ways to better serve our customers and celebrate our communities. Heladita brings a fun, high-quality dessert experience directly to our guests while honoring traditional Hispanic flavors they know and love. It's about more than ice cream; it's about culture, connection and creating moments of joy for families shopping with us.”

— Carrie Strait, Food City Brand Manager (ktar.com)

What’s next

The new Heladita location in Phoenix near 91st Avenue and Thomas Road is scheduled to open on February 4, 2026, and more Heladita shops are planned to open in select Food City stores across Arizona over the next three months.

The takeaway

The opening of Heladita ice cream shops inside Food City grocery stores demonstrates how retailers are adapting to serve the diverse culinary preferences of their local communities, providing authentic Hispanic flavors and cultural experiences for customers.