Larry Roland, former owner of now-closed Team Sports Equipment & Apparel on Rosedale Highway, said Tuesday that he paid a $30,000 franchise fee for the right to open two Ben & Jerry’s “Scoop Shops” and one ice cream kiosk in town.
One would open in the southwest, another in the northwest and the third in east Bakersfield, Roland said. He did not provide location details, saying real estate negotiations are under way.
“There’s never enough ice cream stores,” Bakersfield resident Lisa Van Roekel said when told of Roland’s plans.
Her friend, Bakersfield resident Susan Rhodes, said she was looking forward to the openings, if only to relive her college days.
“Finals week, man — tons of Ben & Jerry’s. I was all good,” Rhodes said.
Beyond selling ice cream at the new locations, Roland plans to cater events such as weddings, birthday parties and office parties.
Ben & Jerry’s has more than 580 scoop shops worldwide, according to the company’s Web site. It also sells its premium ice cream at supermarkets and other retailers.
The nearest existing Ben & Jerry’s location is in Valencia, according to the Web site.
New ice cream shops are sure to please the youngsters, Bakersfield resident Brandon Johnson said.
“I think it’s good for young kids because kids like ice cream,” he said.
When 18-year-old Bakersfield resident Myron Jinkins learned of the proposed stores, he had but one question: “Are they hiring?”
