Ice Cream And Coffee Cafe Opens In Wayne

RADNOR, PA —Whether it is going out for an ice cream treat after getting an A on an exam or meeting a friend for a cup of coffee to celebrate a promotion, The Vanilla Bean has just the treat you are looking for.

The Vanilla Bean recently opened in downtown Wayne at 102 E. Lancaster Ave., serving fresh ice cream blended with a choice of 50 mix-in ingredients, and freshly brewed coffee with beans from the Gryphon, a cafe partner across the street.

Mike Blank, the owner, said he came up with the idea when he saw a similar cafe in Annapolis, Md. He then found the perfect spot in Wayne at the former Pie in The Sky pizza shop.

“I was lucky enough to secure this spot,” Blank said. “We use Bassett brand ice cream and mix it with fruits, nuts, cookies, sprinkles, and syrups.”

The cafe has attracted a steady flow of regulars, students after school, shoppers, and more.

“The kids really like it,” Blank said, noting the cafe recently hosted a birthday party with 12 young girls.

Affogato, an Italian specialty of ice cream topped with espresso, is popular with customers.

Blank said he plans to expand the menu in the winter, offering hot chocolate and hot cider.

His daughter, Caroline, 24, stopped by on Friday afternoon while on break from her accounting job. She helped with the decorating, including two paintings, a cow, and a barn.

Employee Sam Bieth whipped up a dish of vanilla ice cream and Oreos for a customer.

“We customize the ice cream,” said Bieth, who works part-time while getting her master’s degree and coaching cross country at Eastern University. “It’s really good.”

Bieth said about half the customers come for ice cream and the other half for coffee, noting there are many regulars. Here is the menu for The Vanilla Bean.