Our Story — A Classic Ice Cream Stand Since 1951

Merla-Mae Ice Cream has been serving generations since 1951. What began as a simple neighborhood ice cream stand quickly became a local tradition — a place where summer nights, first dates, and family memories all seemed to happen over soft-serve cones and sundaes.

Over the decades, Merla-Mae has stayed true to what made it special from the beginning: real ingredients, handmade ice cream, and a welcoming atmosphere that feels just as familiar today as it did generations ago.

We’re proud to still serve ice cream the old-fashioned way — made fresh, enjoyed outdoors, and shared with the people who matter most.

A vintage-style ice cream shop with a neon sign featuring a soft-serve ice cream cone and the words "MERRIA-MAE ICE CREAM." There are parked cars in front of the shop and people standing near the counter.

The Evolution of Merla-Mae

From our earliest storefront to today, Merla-Mae has grown alongside the community — evolving with the times while keeping the same spirit that made us a local favorite from the start.

A small ice cream stand with a teal roof, brick base, and large sign above displaying the name 'Merla-Mae Ice Cream' in white letters on a red background. The sign features a giant ice cream cone graphic. The stand has multiple windows showing menus, with a trash can nearby in an outdoor parking lot.
Black and white photo of a vintage drive-in restaurant with cars parked outside and a group of people standing in line. The sign reads 'MERLA MAE ICE CREAM' and a slogan says 'Summer Tradition SINCE 1951.'
Merla Mae Ice Cream shop with outdoor seating, people sitting under umbrellas, and an ice cream sign on the roof.

Merla-Mae in Style & Culture

Over the years, Merla-Mae has been featured in articles, local news stories, music spotlights, and community highlights. From supporting emerging artists to appearing in cultural features, our story continues to be shared in ways we never expected — and are always grateful for.

If you’ve come across Merla-Mae in print, online, or in a story worth sharing, we’d love to hear about it.

A woman and a young girl standing inside a diner, smiling and holding ice cream cones. The woman is dressed in a blue skirt and blue cardigan, while the girl wears a light gray T-shirt and blue jeans.

Unnamed Clothing Catalog (1990s)

A young woman with long dark hair, wearing a gray sleeveless shirt with the word 'Lbury' repeated in different colors and white pants, standing in front of an ice cream shop counter. She is holding an item in her left hand and sunglasses in her right hand, with a neutral expression.

Illbury & Goose

Two young women in pastel-colored dresses standing outside an ice cream shop with menu signs in the background.

Elizabeth Noel Clothing

Featured in Media & Music

Merla-Mae has been featured in articles, music projects, and cultural coverage that celebrate its role beyond ice cream. From hosting free outdoor concerts to supporting local artists and musicians, the stand has long been a gathering place where community and creativity come together.

These moments — captured in print, on screen, and through music — reflect the spirit of Merla-Mae: open, welcoming, and deeply connected to the neighbourhood. The same tradition of live music and community events continues today, keeping the experience just as vibrant as ever.

Learn more about our community events

A woman with curly hair is eating ice cream while sitting at a table outdoors, with an older woman with short hair smiling nearby. There is a sign in the background that says 'ICE CREAM' and part of a building visible.
Four people on stage singing into microphones, with a large screen and audio equipment in the background.

The Essentials are a celebrated a cappella group that got their start singing in the Merla-Mae parking lot during community concerts. What began as local performances grew into national recognition, rooted in the same neighbourhood spirit that defines Merla-Mae.

Their album Nothing But Blue reached the Toronto Top 40 in September 2010 — a reminder that some of the best things start small, shared, and close to home.

Learn more about The Essentials

Merla-Mae on Screen

Merla-Mae has also found its way onto the screen, appearing in independent films and creative projects that capture real moments in the neighborhood.

These stories reflect what Merla-Mae has always been about — community, connection, and the simple joy of ice cream shared on a summer night.

Part of Your Story? We’d Love to See It

#MerlaMae has been part of so many memories — first jobs, first dates, summer traditions, and everything in between. If you have a photo, story, or memory tied to Merla-Mae, we’d love to hear it.

Whether it’s a throwback photo, a recent visit, or a moment you’ve never forgotten, your stories help keep our history alive.