After icing the project to compromise with city preservationists and planners, city council candidate Boyd Walker gained approval to open a gelato shop at 200 Commerce St. in Old Town last week.

Built in 1931, the quaint corner structure once housed ice for Mutual Ice, a local distributor. Now it will house the trendy Italian dessert, coffee and baked goods at what Walker hopes will become a neighborhood staple.

To get the planning commission’s blessing, Walker conceded live music and a midnight closing time. The shop will open at 10 a.m. and close at 11 p.m. seven days a week, with about 8 seats available inside and 30 outdoors, a block off of King Street.

The shop should be open by Memorial Day, Walker said.