West Philadelphia Entrepreneur Brings Water Ice Business to Disneyland
A West Philadelphia entrepreneur has brought a Philadelphia favorite to Disneyland, making history in the process.
Lemier Mitchell's Happy Ice began serving water ice at Disneyland on Juneteenth this year, becoming the resort's first Black-owned dessert shop.
"I always knew that I wanted to be an entrepreneur," said Mitchell. “Never in a million years did I think that I would have a company that is partnered with Disneyland.”
Happy Ice started as a food truck before gaining attention through a successful pop-up at the park in 2021. The menu features traditional water ice as well as "Joy-lati" treats made with layers of Italian ice, sweet cream, and fresh fruit.
For Mitchell, 34, the venture represents more than business success. Growing up along the 52nd Street corridor in West Philadelphia, he hopes to provide a different example for young people:
"I grew up on 52nd Street, so it's also a rough area, a rough neighborhood in West Philadelphia," Mitchell explained. "So where we come from, we don't see anyone that's doing what I'm doing. We really typically see a lot of drugs and violence and things like that."
Mitchell aims to make such partnerships more common: "I want to make this a norm. I want it to be normal for us to partner with Disney."
Since opening at Disneyland, Happy Ice has surpassed projections. Mitchell, who once planned to become a tattoo artist but chose a different path after having his two daughters, is now bringing a taste of Philadelphia's water ice tradition to Southern California.