Papa’s Ice Cream to close its doors on Saturday

Ivan Gering, co-owner of Papa’s Ice Cream in downtown Washougal, plans to close up the shop on Saturday.

He recently announced the closure, due to medical reasons.

Gering, 70, and his wife, Chris, opened Papa’s, in August 2008, in the Washougal Town Square, at 1700 Main St., Ste. 130.

Their community involvement has included participating in the Washougal Festival of Trees, hosting monthly bunco nights and donating to local schools, churches and non-profit organizations.

Ivan’s previous occupations include spending 20 years as a youth pastor at Hillcrest Nazarene Church, in Vancouver, and at Gresham Nazarene Church, in Gresham, Ore. In the early 1990s, he owned Ideal Hardware, in the Battle Ground area, for four years.

Prior to opening Papa’s, Gering worked for Lumberman’s for 13 years and then retired for two years.

“Retirement was boring,” he said in January 2010. “I like being with people and working with people.”

The Gerings reside in Washougal.

Meanwhile, Adam Taylor, leasing manager for Washougal Town Square, said he has received “a number of inquiries” from potential tenants.

“We’re discussing the opportunity with a few interested parties,” he said Friday, regarding the 2,100 square foot ice cream shop space.

Papa’s Ice Cream is open through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more information, call 835-8555 or email papas@jcandillc.com.