Ice cream shop owner thanks community for support after latest break-in

Although shattered glass covered the ground in front Heyn's Ice Cream for the second time in less than one year on July 22, shop owner Peggy Cullivan, 32, says that the well-known Iowa City business is picking up the pieces and continuing to move forward thanks to support from their loyal customers.

"We've definitely noticed an increased amount of customers over the last week," Cullivan said.

The latest break-in, which occurred sometime after 10:30 p.m. during a storm last Friday, was completed in a manner that is eerily similar to how a break-in occurred on September 4, 2010.

During both break-ins, glass from the front door was shattered and all cash, including change, was taken from the store's register.

Cullivan says that although the store had a security camera installed slightly before the September break-in, it was not yet operational, and last Friday stormy weather seems to have interfered with the video.

No one has been arrested in connection to either break-in, but the Iowa City Police Department has done everything they can to help, Cullivan said.

Regardless of the break-ins that have occurred, Cullivan says that Heyn's will remain at it's current location at 811 S. First Avenue for the foreseeable future.

"We're not even considering relocating -- the shop has been here for almost 24 years and this is where it's going to stay."

This is good news for Iowa City residents, many of whom believe that the Heyn's Ice Cream shop not only offers tasty treats, but also acts as valuable part of the local community.

"We want to support local and don't want them [Heyn's] to ever go away," Colleen Finnegan, 47, of Iowa City said.

Known for serving unique ice cream flavors including "monster mash," cappuccino, blueberry cheesecake and lavender, the "small town" feel of  Heyn's Ice Cream was originally cultivated by Paul Heyn, who passed away unexpectedly at the age of 41 on October 6, 2008.

"My old favorite was the Oreo ice cream, but now my new favorite is the coconut chip," seven-year-old Griffin Van Dyke, of Hills, said about Heyn's Ice Cream flavors. "Everything here tastes way better than at the other places."

Cullivan, who has worked at the location for 19 years and owned it for the past three, says that since Heyn's passing, she has sought to continue running the business how she believes he would have wanted - remaining committed to the community that has never failed to provide support in times of need.

"People have always come to support us at the store and especially during times of need," Cullivan said. "We're very grateful."

Additional Information:

• Heyn's Ice Cream, located at 811 S. First Avenue in Iowa City, is open all-year-round. During the summer, the shop is open from Noon-10 p.m. daily.

• Heyn's is also supplying ice cream for purchase at the Johnson County Fairgrounds throughout the duration of the fair.

• 42 flavors of ice cream are currently available at the Heyn's Ice Cream store, including several varieties of sorbet and frozen yogurt as well as "limited time" flavors including lavender and peach ice creams.