On a hot Florida afternoon, there may not be a better combination than a stroll through historic downtown Mount Dora followed by a scoop of homemade ice cream at 348 N. Alexander Street.

That’s the location of the newest Mystic Ice Cream shop, which is surrounded by restaurants, festivals, weekend markets and constant foot traffic just steps from the downtown action.

Owners Darrell and Lisa Day say it was impossible to ignore the opportunity to open in Mount Dora.

“We were painting and working on the new location in Oxford when we got a phone call from a realtor in Mount Dora,” Darrell says. “They had heard about our ice cream and our service and said they thought they had the perfect place for us. When Mount Dora calls, you have to answer.”

The couple toured the building the very next day and soon opened what became Mystic’s fifth location in less than a year since launching the Oxford shop.

Darrell says the Mount Dora location offers exactly the kind of atmosphere they hoped to find.

“We’re across from the chamber and right near the Sunday market,” Darrell says. “The foot traffic is outstanding.”

My family and I recently stopped in for ice cream after spending time downtown, and the first thing we noticed was the unique colors Mystic is known for.

The homemade ice cream itself lived up to the hype. One of the biggest disappointments with store-bought ice cream is when the flavor barely tastes like what’s listed on the carton. That definitely was not the case here. Every flavor we tried was rich, creamy and full of flavor. You could immediately tell it was homemade and each scoop tasted exactly like what it claimed to be. 

Mystic has become known for its rotating homemade flavors, including customer favorites like mint Oreo, peach and raspberry, along with alcohol-infused creations made with real rum, amaretto and other spirits incorporated directly into the ice cream-making process.

“We’re not a bar,” Darrell says with a laugh. “But yes, it’s real alcohol and you must be 21 or older.”

The shops also offer several dairy-free flavors made with pea protein to give customers additional options.

Since acquiring the business in 2019, the Days have expanded the brand into locations in Fruitland Park, Leesburg, Summerfield, Oxford and now Mount Dora.

Despite the growth, much of the operation still remains hands-on and family driven.

Lisa continues making much of the 400+ gallons of ice cream each week for the five stores and the company’s popular ice cream truck that appears at roughly 200 events annually.

For Darrell and Lisa, the success of Mystic Ice Cream has always centered around creating a welcoming environment and memorable experience.

“We’re very thankful for our business and for our customers,” Darrell says. “But five shops is plenty for us.” 

Photos: Cindy Peterson