Ashley’s Ice Cream Cafe buys Mama’s Hometown Market

Ashley’s Ice Cream Cafe, located in downtown Marion, has bought out Mama’s Hometown Market.

Through social media on Sept. 28, Mama’s Hometown Market said they were temporarily closed, with big news to come.

Then, on Oct. 2, they released a statement on Facebook sharing that they had been purchased by Ashley’s Ice Cream Cafe. 

The owners of Ashley’s, Tyler and Abby Hewitt, posted the following statement: “We want to say thank you to the Harvey’s and the Henry’s for their incredible support throughout this process. We are so grateful for their guidance as we merge our two businesses and for training us on the preparation of all the products you know and love from Mama’s.”

The previous owners of Mama’s Hometown Market then publicized through social media on Oct. 3 that they were “thrilled to announce that our delicious sodas, sandwiches and soups will soon be served at a new location!” 

Ashley’s employee, Brielle Royal, said that the current plan is to complete a full merger of the two entities. 

“We’ll still have their full menu, like everything they had, we just brought it over…so we’ll still have the full Ashley’s menu and the full Mama’s menu,” Royal said.

Marion local, Faith Riggs, said, “I’ve loved Mama’s and Ashley’s for as long as I can remember. My friends and I would come to both places in high school all the time.”

“This new thing with Ashley’s and Mama’s is really exciting,” Riggs said. 

Indiana Wesleyan student Kate Thompson said, “Ashley’s has been a favorite of mine. They have a lot of unique hard dip flavors and usually have seasonal options too.”

Royal also mentioned that more customers have been coming into the shop asking about the changes. 

“People will come in and ask, ‘Oh, do you have sandwiches yet?’” Royal said. 

Royal said that Ashley’s is still working on getting the materials they need to supply Mama’s menu, but hopes to have a grand opening sometime soon.