The cream is cold, the anticipation is hot — and the news just keeps getting sweeter.  

First-time business owners and franchisees Luis Leon and wife Adriana said they hope to begin serving Scottsdale-based Cold Stone Creamery’s frozen treats at the tail end of summer.  

The ice cream parlor is on track to finish interior construction by the end of July, followed by hiring, training and grand opening plans in place by August. 

“We’re getting to the point where we’re starting to think about the grand opening and what we’re going to do as far as like events and all of that but it’s still fairly early right now,” Leon said. 

In the meantime, the couple-turned-business partners are completing corporate training with Cold Stone, as well as getting ready to look over the virtual stack of job applications they’ve received in recent weeks.  

“Because we’re so early in the process, we haven’t gotten back to anybody yet,” Leon said. “But we’re going to get back to everybody over the next couple of months.” 

The couple recently moved to Tortosa from the West Valley. It’s their first time as franchise owners and they said they look forward to becoming a larger part of the Maricopa community.  

“We’re excited,” Leon said. “It’s been in the works for a really long time, so we’re excited to be ramping up now. We’re just excited to be part of the community and we hope to be involved with fundraisers and local sports teams.” 

Cold Stone Creamery will share space with Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory at 17430 N. Porter Rd.