Popular Port Royal ice cream shop is back in business. Meet the new owners of Maynard’s
Maynard’s Ice Cream and Cafe, a popular Port Royal business located in a building with an iconic mural advertising the coastal town’s quality of life, has officially reopened — with expanded hours and more ice cream.
After opening in 2020, the business become a local treasure, serving up small-batch donuts, pastries, coffees and, of course, ice cream, but a sign went up on its front door in May that it was closed until further notice.
It’s the second downtown Port Royal business to close and reopen under new ownership in recent months.
Chad and Melanie Gotliebowski of Bluffton have purchased Maynard’s from Jennifer McMullan and Heath Cobb, Chad Gotliebowski told the Beaufort Gazette and Island Packet on Friday, when he was taking delivery of several tubs of ice cream.
Maynard’s reopened July 8.
The cafe at 115 Paris Avenue oozes Port Royal.
Inside, a depiction of the Town’s landmark viewing tower, which offers views of Battery Creek, Parris Island and the region, covers the length of the back door.
An outside wall features a colorful mural of the viewing tower and boardwalk that includes the town’s official mantra: “Cool, Coastal and Far From Ordinary,” making it one of the most recognizable buildings in town.
Chad and Melanie don’t own the building, but they own the artwork. “Everybody,” Chad says, “is looking for that.”
Hanging on the wall near the front door is a small framed painting of the building and the mural. It was a gift from a neighbor, who is also the artist who painted it.
“We’ve had tons of support,” Chad Gotliebowski said.
The couple are keeping the name Maynard’s — “because it’s special here,” Chad says — but they’ve made some changes. Hours have increased from noon to 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. And there are now 32 ice cream offerings, making Maynard’s, Chad says, “a full-blown ice cream shop.” And there are more goodies for sale, including cookies, brownies and lemon bars.
The Gotliebowskis are from Cleveland originally. They moved to Bluffton so Chad could be more centrally located in his work in a pest control business that was expanding on the East Coast.
“We were looking to do something as a family together,” Chad says, “so we bought an ice cream shop.”
The couple have always wanted to own an ice cream shop, Chad says, because “we like the atmosphere.”
When customers come into an ice cream shop, Chad notes, they are in a good mood. And getting ice cream, he adds, is the highlight of a child’s day and the couple loves children. They have four of their own: Trevor, 12; Travis, 11; Olivia, 8; and Troy, 6.
In the spring, Olde Schoolhouse Restaurant at 1638 Paris Ave. reopened in a building that once served as a one-room schoolhouse on St. Helena Island. Most recently, it was The Cracked Egg restaurant. The location was purchased by local businessman Jake Higgins, a father of three daughters who said he saw an opportunity to create “a good family restaurant” in the town.
This story was originally published July 16, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
