New Ice Cream Shop Coming to Bedford

The Planning Board on Monday night approved a site plan for an ice cream stand at 193 South River Road.

The stand is a converted shed located behind the River Road Tavern.

Christopher Riley, of Riley Investment Properties LLC, said the ice cream use would feature outdoor picnic table seating and related site improvements.

It is to be a seasonal business, and Riley told Bedford Patch that, at this time, he does not have a target date for opening, either this summer or next.

The ice cream shed, which is about 16-feet by 20-feet in size, also does not have a name at this time.

Associated improvements include 13 paved parking spaces. The property is serviced by municipal water and sewer.

Planning Board members discussed whether there would be enough parking, given the popularity of an ice cream stand in summer and the increasing popularity of the nearby tavern. (Riley, who also sits on the board, had recused himself.)

The application meets parking requirements now. There is an area behind the shed for potential future parking uses. The tavern dovetails, for parking purposes, with the adjacent Salon, whose parking spaces free up after-hours.

Before moving to approve the plan, board member Karen McGinley said, "I do applaud having another ice cream shop in town."

• In other business, the Planning Board on March 26 approved an amendment to the site plan for Market Basket/Demoulas Super Market at 39 Donald St. and Route 114, in order for the applicant to add an outdoor display area.