New candy and ice cream scoop shop now open in downtown Salem

A sweet new addition now open in downtown Salem is bringing candy, ice cream and big dreams with it.

Praves Craves Candy and Creamery is the newest locally-owned business to open its doors at 200 East 2nd St., created by hometown entrepreneurs Ava Nero and Preston Markovich.

Nero and Markovich have spent the last several years building their business from the ground up; they both grew up in the area, graduating from United and Salem High School.

Praves Craves Candy and Creamery celebrated its grand opening on Jan. 31.

What started as a shared love for ice cream — dating all the way back to their first date at Handel’s more than five years ago — eventually turned into a full-blown entrepreneurial journey.

In 2022, the pair launched their first food truck, serving sweet treats while learning the ins and outs of running a business on the road.

Over the next three years, they continued to evolve, adding freeze-dried candy to their offerings and expanding into farmers markets, fairs, and local events.

That curiosity and drive to create something different is what ultimately led them to where they are now.

The idea of a storefront began to take shape once they realized freeze-dried candy required a certified commercial kitchen. While securing that space, another idea followed naturally — if they were already there every day producing candy, why not open the doors and bring everything they loved directly to the community?

“We’ve wanted a place of our own here in Salem for a long time,” they shared. “People have been asking for it since year one.”

Praves Craves Candy and Creamery blends everything they’ve learned from operating a food truck with new concepts Salem hasn’t seen yet.

Along with hard-scoop ice cream, the shop will offer freeze-dried candy, mini pancakes, bubble waffles, waffle ice cream sandwiches, warm pretzels, nachos and more, with plans to continue expanding the menu.

While they intentionally avoided fried foods to keep the space simple and efficient, they focused on items that are fun, customizable, and visually exciting.

The ice cream itself comes from Perry’s Ice Cream, a New York-based brand that both owners grew up loving.

After serving Perry’s in their food truck and seeing how popular it became, the decision to carry it in the storefront was easy. Customers can expect a rotating selection of flavors, including dairy-free and no sugar-added options, along with gluten-free cones available upon request.

Beyond the menu, Markovich and Nero designed the space themselves — from the walls and menus to the overall layout. Every detail was thoughtfully planned to create a modern, fun, and welcoming atmosphere that feels new for Salem while still fitting right into the community.

The shop currently seats about 24 people indoors, with hopes of adding outdoor seating in the warmer months. They hope Praves Craves becomes a place where people of all ages feel comfortable stopping in — whether it’s students grabbing ice cream after school, families meeting up after games, or friends looking for a relaxed spot to hang out.

More than anything, they want it to be a place people associate with good memories.

“It’s about building something people will remember,” they said. “A place kids get excited about.”

The name Praves Craves reflects both the business and the couple behind it, combining their names and their belief in full customization.

Their slogan, “No limits, no rules, just craves,” captures their mindset — customers are encouraged to mix flavors, toppings, and ideas to create whatever they’re craving.

Looking ahead, Nero and Markovich see plenty of opportunities for growth. While they’re focused on launching their Salem location, they’ve already been approached about expanding to other areas and even dream about opening shops in places they love to visit.

They also plan to continue using their food truck and are exploring smaller mobile ice cream carts for school events, fundraisers, and local games.

Opening the storefront has been a surreal moment for both of them. From late nights to hands-on construction and countless decisions, nearly everything inside was built through their own hard work and creativity.

“We saw pictures from the day we got the keys, and it doesn’t even look like the same place,” they said. “It’s a lot to take in.”