Cold, sweet, and built on nearly a century of local history.
Just steps from Planet Mart, a new shop is starting to take shape. Inside a small building that once housed a pizza shop, a new concept is coming to life: Cosmic Treats and Sweets, a homemade ice cream shop set to open just before Memorial Day. Behind it is a name many in the community already know.
Mac Purvis Jr., part of the family behind Purvis Brothers and Planet Mart, is leading the effort—bringing a new kind of experience to a town that, until now, didn’t have a dedicated homemade ice cream destination.
“We saw an opportunity for quality homemade ice cream,” Purvis said. “As opposed to factory-made, we can control the quality, use natural flavors, and really create something different.”
Rooted in Mars Since 1928
The story behind Cosmic isn’t just about ice cream—it’s about evolution.
The Purvis family has been part of the region since the early 1800s, with the business itself dating back to 1928 when Purvis’ grandfather and great uncles began distributing fuel for Pennzoil. Over time, that business expanded into convenience stores, including Planet Mart locations in Mars, Cabot, and Penn Township.
“It’s an extension of what we’ve been building,” Purvis said. “We’ve focused more on food service over the past 20 years, and this just felt like the right fit for the community.”
Built From the Ground Up—Literally
What might look like a simple ice cream shop from the outside tells a much different story behind the walls.
The building had to be completely reworked—floors torn out, new drainage systems installed, extensive electrical upgrades added, and code requirements met that Purvis described as “fabulously expensive.”
“You don’t just throw up a building and start selling ice cream,” he said. “There’s a lot more that goes into it than people realize.”
Even in a relatively small space, the shop required over 1,200 feet of electrical cable and a 400-amp service to support the specialized equipment needed to produce ice cream on-site.
What Makes It Different
Cosmic Treats and Sweets isn’t aiming to be just another stop for a cone.
The shop will feature:
- 16 rotating hard ice cream flavors
- Soft serve options including vanilla, chocolate, and Dole Whip
- Non-dairy alternatives
- Milkshakes, sundaes, banana splits, and blended treats
- Ice cream cakes, sandwiches, and other specialty items
But the real difference comes down to quality.
Using a high butterfat base sourced locally from Marburger’s, the ice cream will meet the legal definition of “real ice cream”—a distinction not all soft serve products can claim.
“A lot of places are around 6 or 7 percent butterfat,” Purvis explained. “To legally call it ice cream, it has to be 10 percent. That’s what we’re using.”
Some flavors will also fall under what the shop calls “simply stellar”—made without artificial colors or flavors.
Tested by the Community
Before opening, the team has already been quietly testing the concept.
Through tastings held on weekends and during events like Apple Fest, thousands of people have already sampled the product.
“We’ve probably had 2,500 to 3,000 people come through tastings,” Purvis said. “We’ve made over 50 different flavors so far.”
That feedback is shaping what customers will see when the doors officially open.
And while there will be creative and rotating options, Purvis noted one thing hasn’t changed:
“Vanilla is still a favorite,” he said with a smile.
A Family Operation—With a New Role
Like the business itself, Cosmic is staying rooted in family.
Purvis’ son is taking on a key role—developing recipes and leading flavor creation as what they jokingly call the “ice cream chef.”
“He’s the one putting it all together,” Purvis said. “Creating the flavors, building the recipes—it’s his thing.”
What to Expect
When Cosmic Treats and Sweets opens, customers should expect a walk-up style experience, with no indoor seating for now. The focus is on quality, speed, and a steady rotation of fresh, small-batch flavors.
And the name?
It’s a nod to both the brand and the town itself.
“The ‘Cosmic’ ties into Planet Mart and Mars,” Purvis said.
A Small Shop, A Big Addition
For a community that continues to grow along the Route 228 corridor, Cosmic Treats and Sweets represents something simple—but meaningful.
A locally owned business.
A new gathering spot.
And a reminder that even in a fast-growing area, there’s still room for something made by hand.
“People love ice cream,” Purvis said. “That part’s pretty universal.”
And soon, Mars will have a place to call its own.
And yes—the 228 Times got the scoop.
