NEW MILFORD, CT — Jesse Pruchnik, the 21-year-old entrepreneur, has turned his passion for ice cream into a successful business venture. Operating a newly opened shop at 7 Main St., he serves cones, shakes, and sundaes with a bright smile, always ready to offer the best to his customers.
“I wasn’t planning on a brick-and-mortar shop, but you can’t beat the location,” Pruchnik said. He and his family run the business together, with Jesse’s parents, Stephanie and Frank, siblings, and girlfriend Meredith Mooers all lending a hand.
Before opening his shop in April 2024, Jesse had been running an ice cream truck since 2021, offering frozen treats at fairs, festivals, family parties, and weddings. He started with “Jason’s Ice Cream,” taking over from his cousin, before rebranding it to “Jesse’s Ice Cream,” and eventually adding a second vehicle, the “Scoop Truck,” in 2024.
“The trucks keep us busy, and we’re now bouncing back and forth between the trucks and the shop,” Jesse said.
Since the grand opening on May 2, Jesse’s Ice Cream has been a hit in the community, offering a wide range of ice cream flavors like cookies and cream, mint chocolate chip, and strawberry. The shop serves 6 to 8 varieties daily, with additional treats like shakes, sodas, floats, smoothies, sundaes, and hot and cold coffee drinks. And let’s not forget the plentiful toppings that have already become a fan favorite.
Jesse’s mother, Stephanie, a retired pediatric nurse, joined the family business after 26 years in the medical field. “It’s different, but the same,” she said, as she cleaned the counters and blended shakes. “You just figure out what people want and try to give them the best.”
Running an ice cream shop comes with its own challenges, but Jesse thrives on the daily interactions. “It’s a mental and physical drain, but in a good way,” he said. “The success of the business relies on consistency, being personable, and having support. We all work hard to make that happen.”
While New Milford already has several ice cream spots, including franchises, Jesse isn’t worried about competition. “I think we’ll be OK,” he said. “People are curious, and once they try it, they’re happy.”
To reward loyal customers, the shop offers a $5 credit for every $50 spent. “Some of our customers have already cashed in their rewards several times,” said Stephanie. They also have a texting system in place to alert customers when they’ve earned rewards, a feature that’s been a hit.
Jesse is always open to feedback, knowing it’s crucial to keep improving. “If someone’s disappointed, they just won’t come back. I want to hear from our customers so we can make it better.”
For the Pruchnik family, Jesse’s Ice Cream is more than just a business—it’s a way to bring the family together. “This has brought the family together,” said Frank, Jesse’s father.
Jesse’s Ice Cream is off to a strong start, and with the family’s dedication and passion for quality service, it looks like this new shop will be a sweet success for years to come.
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