Myrtle Beach gets first Sub Zero liquid nitrogen ice cream store

Sub Zero Ice Cream, which uses liquid nitrogen to quick-freeze customers’ customized ice cream desserts, has opened its first location along the Grand Strand.

The shop, in Sayebrook Town Center off S.C. 544 at U.S. 17 Bypass, will have its grand opening June 18, officials said.

Sub Zero Ice Cream’s made-to-order -321 degree liquid nitrogen treats are frozen in under two minutes using the patented process that sends clouds of liquid nitrogen vapor rolling across the counter. The ice cream shop doesn’t have freezers.

Customers can choose from seven cream bases—original, premium custard, low-fat, yogurt, lactose-free, vegan and sugar-free. After selecting a base, customers can then select from among 20 flavors and mix in a variety of fruit, candy, nuts or baked goods. Sub Zero also offers shakes, smoothies and ice cream pies that are created using liquid nitrogen.

Rick and Nancy Nicola, who relocated to the area from Connecticut, own the store. They saw the Sub Zero franchise opportunity on the popular TV show “Shark Tank” and decided to bring the concept to Myrtle Beach. Headquartered in Provo, Utah, the brand has more than 50 stores in the United States, as well as locations in China and the United Arab Emirates.

The Myrtle Beach store, at 106 Sayebrook Parkway, Suite 5, will be open noon to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and noon to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

This story was originally published June 10, 2016 at 10:23 AM with the headline "Myrtle Beach gets first Sub Zero liquid nitrogen ice cream store."