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Long Island is set to get two new Ben & Jerry’s ice cream shops, essentially doubling the amount it currently has.
One of the stores is slated to open in downtown Patchogue, filling the space left behind by the now-closed Smallcakes Cupcakery and Creamery. The other will be in Station Yards in Ronkonkoma, and probably opening later this year.
“For our shops, we wanted to be in a place with restaurants, bars, and a great atmosphere and vibe,” said Jericho resident Abhishek Sachdeva, who is opening the stores with his wife Nisha. “All those kinds of things have to be there. And that’s what we found in Patchogue.”
At 17 E. Main St., the Patchogue Ben & Jerry’s will be sandwiched between two restaurants: Local Gastro Bar and Pizzette and Del Fuego. The storefront became vacant last month when Smallcakes shut down operations.
Smallcakes operated for seven years in the village’s downtown, famously selling more than 600 cupcakes on its first day of business back in 2017. Signs plastered on the windows of the empty storefront announce that Ben & Jerry’s is “coming soon.”
On Long Island, the Smallcakes chain still has stores in Commack and Syosset. It counts more than 200 locations across the country. Locally, Ben & Jerry’s already operates ice cream parlors in Westhampton Beach and Huntington.
The Sachdevas, who already operate Taj Crown of India restaurant in East Setauket, see potential for success because Ben & Jerry’s is already a billion-dollar brand that resonates with multiple generations. Furthermore, the couple said that with fewer Ben & Jerry’s locations on Long Island compared to other areas, there was room for new stores to do well in locations that see a lot of foot traffic.
The couple said the idea for opening Ben & Jerry’s stores on Long Island germinated while visiting colleges in the Boston area with their daughter, who is currently a senior in high school. They noticed a number of Ben & Jerry’s successfully operating in and around the city.
Nisha Sachdeva, who lived in Ozone Park as a child, explained that she grew up in the restaurant business; her parents owned a restaurant in Flushing, Queens, and later a catering hall in Hicksville. She said that the couple, who own Taj Crown of India with her brother, nephrologist Neeru Kumar, are hoping to turn the restaurant into a franchise.
More about Ben & Jerry’s
Founded in 1978 by Long Island childhood pals Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield in Burlington, Vermont, Ben & Jerry’s has become a beloved global ice cream brand celebrated for its inventive flavors and commitment to social responsibility. The company’s unique creations, ranging from classics like Cherry Garcia to innovative concoctions like Phish Food and Half Baked, have helped build a dedicated worldwide following.
Fun fact: Ben & Jerry’s founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield met in Merrick Avenue Middle School in 1963
The company has been recognized for its engagement in social activism and progressive values — for spearheading advocacy on such issues as climate change, LGBTQ+ rights and racial justice.
This is a developing story. Please return to Greater Long Island for details.
