Coyle’s prepares to unveil its much bigger ice cream shop in Islip

Coyle’s Ice Cream is going from a single scoop to a triple scoop as it prepares for a big move in Islip.

The beloved South Shore ice cream shop is relocating its downtown Islip location to a new storefront that’s nearly three times the size of its current space, giving the business room to expand production, add new offerings and host events.

The new shop at 539 E. Main St. is expected to open before the end of the month.

It will span about 2,900 square feet — a major jump from the current location, which is just under 1,000 square feet.

“We already had the store in Islip, but we wanted a space with room,” said Quadir Russell of North Babylon, who purchased Coyle’s Homemade Ice Cream in December 2023 alongside business partner Michael Khoury. “Between Bay Shore, Lindenhurst and Islip, we just didn’t have enough room to keep up with production.”

The new location, formerly Nevica Salon, will feature a roughly 1,400-square-foot kitchen that will serve as a central production hub for the growing brand.

Coyle’s, which first opened in Bay Shore in 1985, has long been known for its classic neighborhood ice cream shop feel. Russell said the new space will keep that nostalgic character while adding some modern touches.

“It’s like an old-fashioned ice cream shop, so we’re trying to keep that feel but modernize it a bit,” he said. “We’re updating the countertops and adding bar seating — similar to the old ice cream shops — but making it a little more geared toward a younger audience.”

When it opens, the shop will feature an expanded selection of treats, including up to 56 ice cream flavors and 18 varieties of loose candy sold by the pound.

Russell and Khoury signed the lease for the new space in May 2024 and have spent the past year preparing the shop for its debut.

“We’re really just down to punch-list items now,” Russell said. “Inspections, the fire marshal — that kind of thing.”

The pair say the goal since buying the iconic brand has been simple: grow it while preserving what longtime customers already love.

“It was already a trusted brand,” Russell said. “Everyone in the area loves the ice cream. For us it was about keeping that going and expanding our presence on Long Island.”

That expansion has already begun, with shops now operating in Bay Shore, Lindenhurst and Islip — and potentially more to come.

“We haven’t necessarily figured out where the next location will be yet,” Russell said. “But the idea has always been to keep building the brand.”

Top: Quadir Russell (pictured) of North Babylon purchased Coyle’s Homemade Ice Cream in December 2023 alongside business partner Michael Khoury. (Credit: GLI/Mike White)