TX Creamery opens in historic Denison building - Dining and Cooking

DENISON, Texas (KXII) – TX Creamery and the new location of Hey Sugar held a ribbon-cutting Thursday at 301 West Main Street.

“I’m excited. I mean, it’s been a long process over 2 years. And for us to finally be in here making ice cream and serving the community, there’s nothing better,” President and CEO Jeff Persichitte said.

Owners chose Denison over other towns

Owner Kristin Brittan and President and CEO Jeff Persichitte said they looked at several smaller Texas towns before settling on Denison, won over by the city’s incentives and a welcome from the community.

Denison Chamber President Diana Theall said she was thrilled.

“It’s like Christmas, you know, because we’ve waited so long… now to actually see it open and with people in here, it’s just incredible,” Theall said.

Building dates to the 1880s

The building has stood on Main Street since the 1880s. It was once home to a hotel and its restaurant, the White Elephant Saloon.

T-X Creamery has Denison-specific flavors, including the Yellow Jacket, a lemon ice cream with iced lemon cake and a fudge swirl, and the White Elephant, a flavor that pays homage to what the building used to be.

“I was able to find the history of the building online, including the Christmas dinner menu from 1889… found a through line through those, combined them together and created the ice cream,” Chef Chris said.

That research turned into a honey lemon almond ice cream with crushed ladyfingers and a white chocolate ribbon.

Pints also sold in retail stores

Brittan said TX Creamery pints are also sold in retail stores.

“So we are in Central Market, we’re in Brookshire Brothers, and then we’ll be in Kroger in Texas in the new year, which we’re really excited about,” Brittan said.

Ice cream made in view of Main Street

Anyone walking by on Main Street can watch the ice cream being made.

“I grew up watching how it’s made… people and kids being able to just stand here and watch the stuff come off the line. I’m just as excited to see it working as anybody,” Persichitte said.

The shop is already drawing crowds to the once-empty space.

“It’s heartwarming to see this building come to life again,” Theall said.