Beloved Miami Ice Cream Parlor to Close Original Location After 20 Years

After 20 years of serving Miami families with delicious, house-made ice cream sundaes and creamy fudge, a beloved ice cream parlor will close its original location this week.

Wall’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream has just announced on Instagram that it will close its original South Miami location on Saturday, October 4. The news has already devastated its longtime customers. Some have commented, “Oh no, we’re really going to miss that location! It holds so many special memories — it was a part of my children’s childhood tradition to grab pizza and then head over for your amazing ice cream. So many good times there. We’re sad to see it go, but so happy you’re continuing elsewhere. Truly the best ice cream ever!” and “No! Why? There is no better combo than Big Cheese and Walls. It goes together like hot fudge on a sundae!”

In response to the outcry, on Friday, October 3, Wall’s responded to customers with the following statement: “We’re so sad too! We are working as hard and as fast as we can to find a new spot nearby in order to continue being part of this great community! We love all of our customers and are so grateful for being part of so many memories! Luckily, we have our store on Sunset where you can continue enjoying the same delicious, old-fashioned ice cream! But as soon as we have a new spot, we will let everyone know! Thank you so much for the love!”

Wall’s’ vintage ice cream parlor is located directly across from the Big Cheese, another classic Miami staple, and it has been a tradition for many area families to grab a bite at both places.

A Miami Landmark Gone Too Soon

Founded in 2005, just off U.S. 1 and 67th Avenue, the original location has been delivering old-school charm with a side of delicious and creamy ice cream scoops ever since I can remember (the shop even won New Times‘ Best Ice Cream Parlor in 2009). And when I say old-school, I mean old-school. From a red-and-white striped ordering window outside and black and white checkerboard floors to malts, sundaes, and over 25 flavors scooped out of tubs, it’s a place designed for slowing down and channeling your inner child. Plus, Wall’s makes its own fudge (something that only true locals know about), and each flavor is absolutely rich and decadent.

In a city constantly chasing the next big thing, sometimes the sweetest surprise is the one that’s stayed the same. This is why it was even named one of New Times‘ 10 Best Ice Cream Shops in 2025. Thankfully for fans like me, Wall’s opened a second location in Miami earlier this year, just up the road at 9521 Sunset Dr., between Kendall and South Miami.

For owner Felipe Grabiel, who took over the original shop nearly a decade ago, the scoop shop is a celebration of community. “This has been in this neighborhood for years. Everyone I meet usually has a memory of coming here when they were younger,” he told Florida International University’s Caplin News in 2021. When the pandemic shuttered dozens of small businesses, Grabiel made sure Wall’s didn’t become another statistic. He added a walk-up window and expanded outdoor seating to keep the scoops flowing safely. “I’m happy we’re still here and we never had to shut down,” he told the media outlet.

The walk-up window is absolutely adorable. With a giant hand-painted “Ice Cream & Shakes” sign and a mural of vintage ’50s cars parked outside a movie theatre, the shop can truly transport customers to a bygone era of American culture. Plus, there’s plenty of seating in its front patio and inside the scoop shop.

The New Location Has That Same Old-Time Charm Inside

The new location carries on its legacy with the same classic charm. Although smaller and located in a shopping plaza, the interior has those iconic red and white striped walls and its signature logo outside.

Here, you can find all of the classic flavors, like cookie dough, “Cookies n’ Cream,” dulce de leche, “Mint Flake,” and “Oreo Heath Bar,” in addition to its legendary “Great Wall Challenge,” a six-pound mountain of ice cream, bananas, brownies, and toppings. Conquer it, and your photo earns a place on the “Wall of Fame.”

Wall’s has always been more than just a dessert shop. Wall’s is the kind of neighborhood ice cream parlor where locals gather during hurricanes, holidays, and even hard times. Its original South Miami location will be sorely missed, but the sweet memories folks have there will last a lifetime — and I’m sure they’ll make new ones along Sunset Drive soon.

Wall’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream – Original Location. 9521 SW 72nd St., Miami; 305-740-9830; wallsicecreamfl.com. Closing on Saturday, October 4, at 11 p.m.

Wall’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream – Sunset Drive. 9521 Sunset Dr.; wallsicecreamfl.com. Now open!