PICKERINGTON, Ohio (WCMH) – A central Ohio-based ice cream chain will soon open a new shop in Pickerington while offering guests free scoops to celebrate. 

Johnson’s Real Ice Cream will hold its grand opening at 192 Hill Road N. on May 22 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Each attendee will be able to get one free ice cream scoop and the first 50 guests will be awarded a Johnson’s 75th anniversary T-shirt, according to the company. 

The City of Pickerington said it is expecting a “big crowd” for the event, so extra parking will be available behind 9 Hill Road and at Ridgeview STEM Junior High School.

The new 1,400-square-foot ice cream parlor in Pickerington, which features a rooftop and covered patio, took over the building that housed a Sunoco gas station for 58 years. 

“We couldn’t be more excited to bring Johnson’s to Pickerington,” said Matt Wilcoxon, fourth-generation owner of Johnson’s Real Ice Cream. “This building has a story, our brand has a story, and this opening is all about community, memories and great ice cream.”

The new Pickerington shop marks the company’s ninth central Ohio location. Johnson’s first opened in Bexley in 1950 and has since expanded to New Albany, Italian Village, Grandview, Dublin, Canal Winchester and Powell. This year marked the brand’s 75th anniversary.

The ice cream parlor serves a variety of flavors across its stores such as black raspberry chip, bubble gum, mango sorbet and birthday cake.