Graeter’s Ice Cream Store Opens in Broad Ripple

Writer / Susan Hershey

Sugar. Cream. Eggs. And flavoring — black raspberry with special chocolate chips, a customer favorite. These mouthwatering words describe ice cream from Graeter’s, a regional family-owned business that opened a new store in February on the corner of 56th and Illinois streets in Broad Ripple.

The business owners are striving to catch up with the likes of Ben & Jerry’s and scoop up some national recognition. Given their success in Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky, reaching this goal may not be far off. Recognized on air by Oprah Winfrey some years ago as her favorite ice cream, Graeter’s is achieving success rapidly.

Jim Tedesco, franchise owner of 10 Graeter’s stores, including the local store, said in an email this week, “Graeter’s has a great reputation to go along with a great product, and it has been proven that we can have success in markets other than Cincinnati.”

Known for their French pot method for creating the creamy, cold dessert, which involves the above-mentioned ingredients and two small rotating 2-gallon cylinders, the business started in 1870 — four generations ago — from a small market cart in Cincinnati. The descendants of the original owners are committed to continue making their ice cream by this method.

With 20 flavors plus special seasonal additions, including peach flavor with actual peach slices, ice cream cakes and pies, and special sundaes, how can they go wrong?

They are the best because the ice cream is made in small batches with very little air whipped into the product, according to Tedesco. “We use nothing but the finest ingredients, and our prepackaged items are packed by hand. We are known for our chips. Chocolate is cooked, then poured into the French pot. After the chocolate freezes into one big chip, a blade breaks it into smaller chips. The chocolate just melts in your mouth,” said Tedesco. The company boasts using all natural ingredients, including fresh strawberries from Oregon, local milk products and the finest vanilla beans from Madagascar.

In addition to the new Broad Ripple store, Graeter’s ice cream can be found at Kroger, Marsh, Meijer and other grocery stores. It can also be purchased online. At the ice cream shop, Sweet Reward cards are offered to customers to earn points on purchases. Customers who have the card get special deals on pints and a free sundae on their birthday, along with a $5 gift certificate for every $100 they spend.

Looking to treat your dog as well as yourself? Dogs are welcome into the store for a special “dog’s night out” on the first Thursday of every month, Tedesco said. Furry friends will receive a dog treat, while owners chat with vendors including vets, kennels and dog trainers.

Graeter’s is located at 5560 N. Illinois St. in Indianapolis. For more information, call 317-253-1405 or visit graeters.com.

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