Customers Jenna and Bill Perkins wait in line to buy some ice cream. Jenna and Bill said they have been fans of Bruster's ever since its first location in Memphis opened.
The aroma of freshly pressed waffle cones wafted through the red and white garage-style ice cream shop with Maroon 5’s “Songs About Jane†playing on the loudspeaker as if it were the early 2000s again. Customers ordered frozen concoctions, with flavors like “coffee break,†which tastes like drinking a mocha, in this stop for dairy desires that has the feeling of a throwback creamery.
Bruster’s Real Ice Cream opened Jan. 17 on the Highland Strip and is now back to scooping ice cream in Memphis. Bruster’s was closed for about seven years, and the company decided it was time to make a return. Bruce Reed founded Bruster’s in 1989, and since then, all their menu items have been made in house. Bruster’s started in the Pittsburgh suburb of Bridgewater, Pennsylvania, and they now have about 200 locations around the world.
Store manager Waynecia Williams said they stand out from other ice cream stores because they are sourced by Bruster’s farm, where they make all their ingredients for their ice cream.
“Everything’s made in store,†Williams said. “All the ingredients, we hand put them in there.â€
Williams said customers have often been visiting her store since they opened.
“We’ll die down for a bit, but then people just come in, and we have a steady rush,†Williams said.
Bruster’s location attracts many college students and families. Their opening week had lines out of the door, Williams said.Â
Gary Alleyne, Bruster’s co-manager, said he and his business partner moved from Atlanta and saw Memphis as a “fast-emerging market†with potential for greatness.
“Our plan is to have about eight or nine stores in the next 18 to 20 months,†Alleyne said. “It will be in Memphis proper. That will include Oxford, Tupelo and Southaven, Mississippi and Jackson, Tennessee.â€
Alleyne said the Highland Strip was an ideal area because it was up-and-coming and attractive to their targeted customers.
“I think the focus is here,†Alleyne said. “We see a lot of families close to the university, and we felt like it was a good fit.â€
Felicia Dattilo, a customer of Bruster’s, said she remembers going to Bruster’s when she was in elementary school.
“I used to go there with my dad all the time in elementary school,†Dattilo said. “I’m excited there’s a new location.â€
Dattilo said she is happy Bruster’s found its way back to Memphis and will be visiting often for their ice cream.
“I can’t wait for warmer days,†Dattilo said. “I’ll get to eat Bruster’s, and it’ll feel like elementary school all over again.â€
