After a fire on Feb. 3 damaged a portion of the Sarris Candies factory on Adams Avenue, the beloved ice cream parlour remained closed. Until Friday morning.

With a full blessing, ribbon cutting and dedications from many local, county and state officials, the iconic Sarris ice cream parlour is back in business and better than ever.  

It has the same old-fashioned feel, the same great flavors, and the same dedication and family values behind it that the Sarris family has come to be known for in the local and surrounding areas.

“Many of you ran with boots on feet, buckets in hand to say, ‘What can we do?’ It wasn’t to save chocolate or to save castles, it was to stand by a family who has stood by you for so many decades,” said the Rev. George Livanos of the All Saints Parish in his blessing.

Leading off the dedications was Bill Sarris, president of Sarris Candies since 2010, who presented a donation to the Canonsburg Fire Department of $10,000 for their quick response in getting the fire under control to minimize damage.

“The Sarris Family has always been good to the fire department and good to this community,” said fire Chief C. Thomas Lawrence III.

Officials including state Sen.Timothy Solobay, Washington County Commissioner Harlan Shober, Canonsburg Mayor David H. Rhome, state Rep. Brandon Neuman and Karen Kovac, president of the Greater Canonsburg Chamber of Commerce, gave dedications to the Sarris family, the new facility—and what they represent to the community.

“I grew up with Sarris family. This is quite an honor to come full circle to be able to honor them. They have given so much and it’s imperative that we recognize the Sarris family for what they’ve done for our community, for having this store and keeping it in Canonsburg,” Neuman said.

The ceremony concluded with the Sarris family cutting the ribbon, inside due to the weather, but with the same excitement to now be fully back in business in the community and for the community they so dearly love.

This Weekend’s Activities at Sarris

For the remainder of Friday, the Sarris Candies store and ice cream parlour will be open until 9 p.m. with carnival activities, including clowns, balloon artists, magicians, puppets and more.

Saturday’s hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. with official Grand Opening activities from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., including train rides, stilt walkers, caricature artists, unicyclists and more to go with the carnival theme of the new ice cream parlour.

Special Saturday events include:   

11 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Book signing with Uncle Dave Howard, author the children’s titled “The Day the Chocolate Melted Away”

1 to 3 p.m. – Johno Prascak, artist of the Pittsburgh skyline featured on the limited edition Sarris boxes

3 to 5 p.m. – American Idol finalist Adam Brock

Regular hours resume on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

This story originally appeared on Canon-Mac Patch