Yes Mimico there is a real Ed’s Real Scoop. And he is now retired as churn master and enjoying life in the Beach.

The first Ed’s Real Scoop ‘small batch ice cream, gelato, sorbet and yogurt’ shop appeared on the scene about 20 years ago in the Beach.

The cones caught on. Now there are four locations: including Leslieville, Roncesvalles, Beach and 2370 Lake Shore Blvd. W., where Mark Johnson is the owner.

Johnson grew up in the Beach area with company founder Ed Francis and has worked for him on and off.

He says Ed is a shrewd businessman, who was originally from Ohio, but moved here after marrying a Canadian woman in the 1980s. They settled in the Beach, where they opened their first store.

“He was a physicist, worked in insurance and had many other jobs,” Johnson recalls. “In his 50s he decided to sell everything and get into the ice cream business.”

It wasn’t long before his natural, creamy ice cream took off, with people lining up on hot days to get a treat to cool down.

“It is home-made ice cream,” Johnson says. “Everything is made from natural ingredients right here in our store. It’s all fresh and made in the last day or two.”

The store carries about 290 different recipes for ice creams, in addition to cakes and other treats.

“We only carry full fat ice cream,” he says. “Our ice cream is creamy, has a better taste and texture than others.”

The Lake Shore Blvd. W., and Albert Ave., location is one of the last full-serve ice cream parlours that still exist in the South Etobicoke area today.

Orders can be placed to Ed’s Real Scoop, Lakeshore store, at 416-259-9595 or visit edsrealscoop.com. They are open from 12 a.m. to 9 p.m.