As the weather in Chapel Hill is warming up, a new ice cream option is about to be available for those looking to cool off.

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams — a popular national chain — will hold a soft opening for its location at University Place mall on Thursday. The spot at 223 South Estes Drive becomes the third Jeni’s location in the Triangle, following the Village District Shopping Center spot in Raleigh and the Brightleaf Square location in Durham.

The opening is a significant piece of University Place’s redevelopment and new vision, as Jeni’s is in a building constructed in the former footprint of the Southern Season store demolished at the Chapel Hill mall in March 2023. The ice cream shop will be one of two businesses that anchor a public green space that runs alongside new traffic connections to either side of the mall property and will be flanked by seven new store fronts built out from the existing, central mall building.

The turf green space in front of Jeni’s Ice Creams features various benches for visitors to use, and will be a place for future programming hosted by University Place. On the other end is another business space that could soon be filled.

Some of the new University Place storefronts facing the public green where Jeni’s Ice Creams is located.

Jeni’s will also mark the second new business opening in the month of February. A WakeMed MyCare 365 primary care and urgent care clinic, which is also in a newer building constructed on the east end of the mall property, opened the week of Feb. 10. While that part of the property was shut down for more than a year as the land was cleared from the demolition, new roads running north-south are now open for both vehicle and pedestrian traffic. With the completion of construction in that part, the redevelopment of the mall will transition to its next phase: building new mixed-use office on the other side of the green space.

As of its soft opening, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams in Chapel Hill will be open from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. on Sundays through Thursdays, and from 12 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.

Related Stories
‹
‘Mind Your Business’: Local Openings, Closings and Moves in January-March 2025
The start of 2025 marked the beginning and end for several businesses in the Chapel Hill, Carrboro and broader Orange County community.
University Place Has a Parking Problem. Here's What Management, Patrons Have to Say.
As University Place in Chapel Hill undergoes redevelopment, it's led to a decrease in parking spots – which culminated in the last few weeks.
Mall Walking Community to Lose University Place Interior as Redevelopment Continues
Mall walkers enjoy exercising in the indoor space of University Place. But that is set to change due to mall's ongoing redevelopment.
'Begins to Feel Real': Southern Season Demolition Means Future is Here for University Place
The start of Southern Season's demolition at University Place represents the turning of a new leaf, says the mall's ownership.
Stoney River Sets Reopening Date as Latest University Place Business to Open After Flood Recovery
Stoney River Steakhouse & Grill at University Place will be reopening on August 11, joining other businesses in the Chapel Hill mall.
Jeni's Ice Creams Sets Grand Opening Celebration in Chapel Hill, Offering Free Scoops and Prizes
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams is giving away free ice cream for a year as part of its grand opening next week.
Chapel Hill's University Place Shares New Tenants — Including Doughnut Shop and Pilates Studio
With the latest phase of redevelopment at University Place finishing up, the Chapel Hill mall announced new leasing deals on Tuesday.
Frame & Print Shop Relocating Within Chapel Hill Mall; Here's Where and When
One of University Place’s longest-standing businesses is once again transitioning to a new space at the Chapel Hill mall. The Frame & Print Shop, currently located in Suite 400C of 201 Estes Drive, is relocating and expanding this weekend to Suite 102 at University Place — which will put the locally-owned custom framing business in […]
WakeMed Opens MyCare 365 Clinic, Urgent Care at Chapel Hill's University Place
One of University Place mall's newer tenants, WakeMed MyCare 365 Primary and Urgent Care, recently began welcoming visitors in Chapel Hill.
Construction Progressing on Buildings for New Businesses at Chapel Hill's University Place
New buildings at University Place are taking shape and the Chapel Hill mall's owners have finalized more tenants, according to a release.
›