A Southern Season in Chapel Hill is celebrating the opening of its in-store Ice Cream Parlor with a range of frosty treats, from classic combinations like ice cream floats to gourmet specialties, like the Balsamic Strawberry milkshake.

Modeled after a 1950s soda fountain with marble countertops and tall stools, the Ice Cream Parlor is the perfect place to escape the heat or relax after a day of shopping.

"A treat for kids and adults alike, the Ice Cream Parlor is a whimsical addition to Southern Season," said Alison Kelly, Southern Season's Ice Cream Parlor coordinator.

The parlor continues Southern Season's tradition of supporting local vendors and products by featuring Lumpy's Ice Cream, which is made in Wake Forest. (And was one of our Five Favorite ice cream shops in the Triangle.)

Since 1975, Southern Season has grown from an 800 square foot coffee roaster to an award-winning 60,000 square foot gourmet food shop. A Kitchen Showroom was completed in March and a Coffee and Tea Bar was opened in May.