Ben & Jerry’s New Owner Looking Forward to Community Involvement

There is a change in leadership at the Ben & Jerry’s Canton Scoop Shop, but the new owner is far from a stranger to the store.

Phillip Killoran, a Unionville resident, purchased the scoop shop on April 1 after managing the establishment for five years. In addition to the new title, Killoran said there is a lot to look forward to in the role. 

“I’m looking forward to being more involved in the community,” he said. 

As a way to give back to the community that supports the store, Ben & Jerry’s hosts two benefit nights per month and gives 25 percent of the sales to the community organization. 

“There’s no point in business if you're not going to give back to the community,” he said. 

Last week, the Pine Grove Nursery School in Avon held a benefit at the remodeled shop. And today, April 12, the store will host its yearly Free Cone Day noon to 8 p.m. to thank the community as well as to raise money for the town of Canton Volunteer Fire and EMS Department.

Killoran said, on average, he gets three to four donation requests per day. 

Killoran credited the community for their continued support, and for always keeping him abreast of events going on in the area that the store could be involved in. 

“It’s perfect,” he said. “I have the greatest customer base.”

Looking ahead, Killoran said he also wants to maintain an educational and fun working environment for his staff, who range in age from 16 to 24. 

“I want them to have fun and enjoy being there,” he said.

In one year, Killoran said he receives approximately 500 job applications.

“Because we’re Ben & Jerry’s and people know who we are, all the teens want to work for us,” he said. 

Additionally, Killoran said he wants to focus on consumer education with his staff, which is directly related to the high commodity costs to produce the product the company offers. 

“It’s the hardest thing to deal with - the cost to produce everything,” he said. “It’s such a high quality product. We do so much now to try to educate our consumers.”

In addition to the ingredients that go into the array of ice cream that the shop sells, Killoran said the store also caters and create fresh, custom birthday cakes. 

Killoran staffs two assistant managers, one of which is Killoran’s brother, as well as a staff of 10 to 12 scoopers. Killoran’s wife also helps out at the shop when she can.

“We’re a family store,” he said. “My family is very hands on, helping me out when I need it.”

Overall, Killoran said he is happy with his decision to move up the ranks and take over the business. 

In fact, the ‘Late Night Snack’-loving ice cream connoisseur said, “I love this and to me, it’s not like going to work every day."