Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream is a local ice cream parlor that guarantees high-quality ice cream and good service. 

Despite the positive spirit of the ice cream parlor, sad news has changed the atmosphere around the joyful shop. 

On Oct. 4, Marcus Weenig, a franchisee of a couple of Handel’s locations in southern California including the one in Carlsbad, passed away in a car accident in his mid-forties. 

Weenig positively influenced local Handel’s shops. Handel’s was the dearest place to him. The customers and Weenig loved the ice cream shop for its unique ice cream flavors and the years-long story of the creation of the big franchise. 

It all started in 1945 in Youngstown, Ohio when Alice Handel used berries from her garden and her own recipes to cool down on hot summer days. 

The little hobby turned into a franchise ice cream production that spread across the country and reached Carlsbad Village. Sage Creek junior Petyr Dimmick shares his views on the ice cream shop. 

“Handel’s makes those Friday night dinners special because of their high-quality ice cream,“ Dimmick said. “It is a really symbolic place to my relationship and I created a lot of core memories there.”

The shop is famous and loved for its commitment to excellent quality and a unique menu. 

“The first time I had blueberry cheesecake ice cream on a big waffle cone, that was immaculate, it was perfect,” Dimmick said.

Food critics and gourmets recognize Handel’s ice cream as one of its own kind in recently published books like “The Ten Best of Everything and Everybody Loves Ice Cream.”

Throughout the time that Weenig has owned locations, he tried his best to improve certain aspects of the franchise and keep customers happy.

For many, Weenig was a kind and fair boss and owner. Sage Creek senior Ana Ambrose, one of the workers at the local ice creamery,  was happy to share a couple of kind words about Weenig and his ownership of Handels: 

“I thought he was really nice. He was a little intimidating at first because he’s the owner, but after I got to know him a little bit I realized that everyone really liked him, and he was really sweet to all the customers. When he was there, everyone was talking with him, joking with him and he was super nice. He overall made it a better workplace.” 

He kept his team in a good spirit and created a better work environment. Weenig was an essential member of the Carlsbad community. Under his creative direction, our local Handel’s managed to thrive and bring happiness to anyone who stopped by. 

“It’s a lot different I think because now we have this weight hanging over. Every time I walk in, it’s not the same anymore. Every time I see the poster and everything I’m just sad because he was such an important part to my job and everything,” Ambrose added. 

The absence of Weenig was clearly present. Despite the unfortunate situation, Handel’s team managed to withstand the difficult times and continue to delight the customers. 

As a community, Carlsbad residents too can honor Weenig.               

“Going there whenever you are in the village will help the business financially,” Dimmick said. 

To honor Weenig and his legacy, his loved ones hosted a fundraiser and placed a memorial, a tribute list of his favorite ice cream flavors alongside an inspirational quote: 

“The service has to be better than the ice cream and the ice cream is exceptional.”