This article was published in Long Island Business News and written by David Winzelberg.
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Ben & Jerry’s has opened its newest Long Island scoop shop at Station Yards in Ronkonkoma.
The 1,476-square-foot store, located at 3 Hawkins Ave., joins the brand’s other area scoop shops in Patchogue and Huntington.
“Station Yards immediately felt like the right home for our Ben & Jerry’s,” Nisha Sachdeva, owner of Ben & Jerry’s Ronkonkoma, said in a written statement. “We love being part of downtown communities, and Station Yards has such an incredible energy with its mix of residents, events, and local businesses. Bringing a brand that is fun, welcoming, and loved by all ages into this space feels like the perfect fit.”
Though the brand has earned global recognition, Ben & Jerry’s has ties to Long Island, as its founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield grew up in Merrick before opening their first ice cream shop in Burlington, Vermont in 1978. Today the brand is owned by Unilever, but its products are still made in Vermont where Ben & Jerry’s has its headquarters.
The all-in cost to open a full-size Ben & Jerry’s franchise ranges from $237,800 to $549,300, according to the company.
“Ben & Jerry’s is one of those brands that instantly brings people together,” Jimmy Coughlan, executive vice president and partner at Tritec Real Estate Company, said in the statement. “It has strong Long Island roots, global recognition, and an appeal that spans generations. We’re excited to welcome Ben & Jerry’s to Station Yards and to see their shop become a place where families, residents, and visitors can create simple, joyful moments.”
When completed, the $1.2 billion mixed-use development called Station Yards will have 1,450 apartments, 195,000 square feet of retail space, and 360,000 square feet of office space. Its current phase, called The Core, has 388 apartments, 70,000 square feet of retail space and 16,500 square feet of office space, where its developer Tritec will be headquartered. The opening of the next phase of The Core, with 175 apartments and 1,419 square feet of retail space, is expected later this spring.