Historic Pittsburgh Ice Cream Parlor Soon Could Be Gone For Good

PITTSBURGH, PA — A century-old ice cream store that has served up cones and shakes for generations might never reopen, according to government documents.

Klavon's Ice Cream Parlor on Penn Avenue in the Strip District is up for sheriff's sale on Dec. 1.

A Pittsburgh Business Times report said that an Allegheny County Comm Pleas Court filing indicated a default notice was filed by Dollar Bank against Klavon's and showed a debt balance of nearly $100,000. The sheriff’s sale posting listed the property owners as Digital Dream Labs Inc., High Knoll Development and Jack Hanchar.

The ice cream parlor has a rich tradition.

According to Klavon's website, James and Mary Klavon first opened the place in 1923 as a neighborhood apothecary and ice cream shop. After years of serving the community, theshop closed in 1979 and sat dormant for two decades.

The couple's eight grandchildren and a cousin teamed reopened it in 1999, transforming the old pharmacy into a full-service ice cream parlor and conserving original features - such as a phone booth - that made it a colorful place to visit.

The current ownership group listed on the sheriff's sale documents purchased the parlor in 2013. It's been for sale for the past three years with no takers and remains closed.

The annual Strip District Neighbors State of the Strip District report for 2025 termed Klavon's inactive and labeled its future as an ice cream parlor uncertain.