'Fudgie' Smiling Over New Britain Deal To Aid Ice Cream Cake Factory

NEW BRITAIN, CT — New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart was all smiles and giggles last week as the New Britain Common Council closed its Sept. 14 meeting.

After all, how often does a city's top board get to vote on a measure that could ensure a beloved ice cream cake character will stay in the area.

But that's exactly what the council did when it authorized Stewart to negotiate and execute a "tax modification agreement" on behalf of a city known for hardware manufacturing, not necessarily ice cream.

The move was done to help freeze Buffalo, N.Y.- based Rich Products Corp.'s tax assessment at $8.4 million for the next 10 years starting Oct. 1.

So what does that have to do with ice cream cake?

Rich Products Corp. owns and operates a food manufacturing facility at 1 Celebration Way and they just happen to manufacture ice cream cakes for Carvel.

For those not from these parts, Carvel is the beloved ice cream giant that has turned such characters as "Fudgie the Whale" and "Cookie Puss" into cultural icons most children have enjoyed at birthdays and celebrations.

Chances are, if you've ever swooned over the creamy, soft ice cream, signature frosting and decadent chocolate crunchies, you salivated over a dessert made right in New Britain.

And, according to New Britain officials, those beloved desserts will likely still be made in New Britain following their actions last week.

Just prior to the vote, Stewart was visibly giddy.

"Fudgie the Whale for everybody," she appeared to say amid chuckles. "This is exciting and the conversation will continue and we'll come back to the full council."

With its taxes soon-to-be frozen just like its ice cream cakes, Rich Products Corp. can now focus on its planned expansion at the 1 Celebration Way plant.

It's a move that will add more than 50 production jobs and 300 "direct and indirect jobs," according to the approved resolution.

The approved resolution also says Rich is investing more than $21 million in the expansion, including the addition of new product lines and improved product manufacturing and shipping services.

With a frozen tax assessment, one that for a few years won't include the expansion, Rich Corp. stands to save money and be able to pour it into making ice cream cakes.

And for anyone whose ever anxiously awaited for "Fudgie the Whale" to thaw out before receiving a highly anticipated piece, this tax break may just be well worth it.

To watch the New Britain Common Council meeting from Sept. 14, click on this link.

To view the resolution regarding tax breaks for Rich Products Corp., click on this link.