Marble Slab Creamery is back in the St. Louis area, and for owner Aasia Langrial, the return is a family affair.
Langrial’s parents previously owned the Marble Slab location at West County Mall, where she worked during high school and her first years of college. After graduating, she went into healthcare but maintained an interest in business. Years later, she and her husband decided to bring the ice cream brand back to the area, opening Marble Slab Creamery in Chesterfield.
The Chesterfield shop is currently the only Marble Slab Creamery location in the St. Louis area.
Having lived in Chesterfield for years, Langrial said she and her husband noticed a need for a premium ice cream shop in the area. After researching potential locations, they pitched the Chesterfield site to the franchise team, which agreed it was a good fit.
The concept is centered around made-to-order ice cream mixed with customers’ choice of add-ins on a frozen marble slab. Customers can choose from a selection of ice cream flavors and add fruits, nuts, candies and cookies at no additional charge.
The shop also serves hand-rolled waffle cones, milkshakes, smoothies and ice cream cakes. Ready-to-go cakes are available for customers who need something on short notice, while custom cakes can be ordered with 24 to 48 hours’ notice.
Since opening, Langrial said the shop has seen steady repeat business from Chesterfield customers, along with cake sales and online orders through DoorDash and EZCater. Some customers have even driven 45 minutes to an hour to visit.
The business is also looking beyond walk-in ice cream sales, with catering for birthdays, weddings and office events, as well as local fundraising, among its growth opportunities.
The Chesterfield shop is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Although Marble Slab is a national franchise with roots dating to 1983, Langrial said she and her husband have kept the Chesterfield location closely tied to the family business model. They work alongside their staff at the shop every day while also drawing on the franchise’s support, digital menu boards and brand recognition.
They plan to keep adding some local touches, including weekly featured ice cream flavors. The shop is also working toward adding Great American Cookies before winter, giving customers another reason to stop in beyond the ice cream counter.
For Langrial, the Chesterfield shop brings her career full circle: back to a brand she grew up working with, but this time as an owner.
