Bitter, chilling competition is brewing on the square. But don’t worry, it’s sweeter than you think. The Marietta Square has not one, not two, but three different ice cream spots with the third opening summer of 2025. Each has their own unique qualities but division exists. Which one is the best? Which one brings in the most customers? Which one do people prefer? Find out the inside scoop on Jeni’s, Sweet Treats, and Sarah Jean’s ice cream shops.
Sweet Treats
Sweet Treats is the most diverse of the bunch, offering frozen yogurt, juices, smoothies, and custom cakes along with their ice cream. We met with Kalanit Coronell, an employee to discuss the changes happening with a new ice cream shop opening.
“I know Sweet Treats started out as a mother-daughter business. I think it stands out because you can make your own flavors by mixing in whatever you want,” Coronell said.
Although Sweet Treats has unique aspects to the shop, some customers prefer modernity over an eccentric place.
“I don’t think there’s been competition, but sometimes people come in and are [looking for] a little fancier, and so they’re like ‘We should go to Jeni’s instead,” Coronell said.
Sweet Treats is not for those concerned about decor, but it is the perfect option for those looking for uniqueness and fun flavor combinations.
Sarah Jean’s
Sarah Jean’s Ice Cream is a classic ice cream parlor with over 40 flavors of ice cream, gelato, Italian ice, and yogurt.
“I don’t know when it specifically opened, but I know the current owner has had it for 20 years now,” employee Scarlett Brooks said.
Sarah Jean’s has the most small-town, nostalgic feel out of the three shops.
“It’s a small business, so it feels more like a Marietta based business instead of a franchise. It’s very modern out there, and I think we keep it simple,” Brooks said .
The freezing temperatures this winter have also impacted Sarah Jean’s business.
“We’re actually open three days a week now, instead of six,” she explained.
With Jeni’s opening recently, Sarah Jean’s has taken the biggest hit.
“Jeni’s coming tanked business a lot. It’s unfortunate, but Sweet Treats has always been good about dividing the square,” Brooks said.
Sarah Jean’s is the perfect option for someone looking for a small-town feel for classic ice cream.
Jeni’s
Jeni’s Ice Cream, the newest of the three, is quickly becoming a popular option for dessert on the Square. They recently hosted their grand opening in the summer of 2025, and offer several unique flavors, satisfying any crave.
“I’ve tried other franchises, but this is the one I most commonly come to on the square,” customer Erin Andruszko said. “I love the quality, the range, the flavor, and the vibe.”
Additionally, upon our arrival at Jeni’s, we were greeted by the owner of the Marietta Square location, Anne Merrit. She explained that she wasn’t really aware of any competition, seeing as they just opened. However, she said she’d been to Sweet Treats as a customer and admitted that they have many features that Jeni’s doesn’t.
Despite the differences between the three locations, their goal remains the same: to offer a sweet delicacy to consumers. No matter if you prefer the uniqueness of Jeni’s, the small town feel of Sarah Jean’s, or the variety of Sweet Treats, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
