A little taste of Vermont is headed to the Gainesville area, where Ben & Jerry’s is getting ready to open a new locally owned scoop shop this summer.
The new Ben & Jerry’s will be located at 14128 West Newberry Road, Unit C-13, in the Steeplechase area. The company’s website lists the location as ‘coming soon’, while franchise owner Heali Mehta told What Now Media Group that she is targeting the third week of August for the opening.
For Mehta, the new shop will be about more than serving scoops. She said being involved with the surrounding community will be an important part of the business, with plans to connect with families and create activities that bring people together.
“We are so community oriented, so we will definitely be engaging with the community and having lots of fun with the community and with the kids, gathering and bringing the Vermont specialty to Gainesville, which we are very excited to share with all the Gainesville, Alachua, Newberry people,” said Mehta.
Ben & Jerry’s got its start in Vermont in 1978, when Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield opened their first scoop shop in a renovated Burlington gas station. The brand has since grown well beyond Vermont, with scoop shops serving its familiar lineup of ice cream flavors and treats around the world.
