Cold Stone Creamery, a franchise ice cream shop founded 16 years ago in Tempe, Ariz., is launching a shop on Court Street this October.
Ken Mogle, one of the owners of Cold Stone Creamery in Lancaster, said this is the first time that he has opened a franchise store in a college town.
Mogle said he decided to open a store in Athens because of popular request.
So many people who went to Lancaster said we should have a store in Athens
he said.
The storefront on Court Street, located next to Pita Pit, is still under construction, and the grand opening probably will be in mid-October, Mogle said.
We will be the only place that sells ice cream made here he said, A special machine in the store will make ice cream daily in the store.
The store got its name from the granite stones on which employees blend plain flavors of ice cream with mix-ins to create customized ice cream, Mogle said.
According to the Cold Stone Creamery Web site (http://www.coldstonecreamery.com), another unique feature of Cold Stone is employees frequently break into song or dance while scooping ice cream for customers.
Mogle said Cold Stone will not face much competition in Athens, citing the fact that Lollipop and Dairy Queen have different types of featured items.
Ohio University senior Leah Hollstegge, a business major, said Cold Stone Creamery coming to Athens might have a negative effect on local businesses.
It concerns me because I think it would put places like the Lollipop out of business she said. I'm not sure if I would visit the franchise.
OU senior Shawn Gronauer, also an OU business student, said she might go to the franchise store occasionally but is concerned about the price of the ice cream.
The prices are too high for my tastebuds
she said.
Cold Stone Creamery in Athens plans to begin hiring and training on Oct. 1, Mogle said. Students can apply online for the positions.
Depending on the time of the year
there will be 25-40 employees in the store. Most of them will be college students
he said. Two to three of them will be developed into managers.
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