As spring fever sets in simultaneously with final exams, an ice cream shop seems ideal for students who need a study break. What better place to go than one in which the customers are enthusiastically greeted with “Welcome to Cold Stone!” upon their eager arrival?
Located on North Franklin St. in Christiansburg, Cold Stone adds its own, unique twist to the ice cream experience. Costumers walking into the ice cream shop might as well be walking into Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory with its brightly colored decorations, seemingly limitless confectionary possibilities, and a host of upbeat employees.
Two things keep Cold Stone Creamery among the most popular spots to eat ice cream in the area. One is the tremendous variety and innovativeness of the ice cream flavors. Unlike other ice cream parlors where the decision is simply what flavor of ice cream one wants; Cold Stone gives the costumer a choice of 18 rotating base flavors that can be blended on a frozen granite stone with any “mix-ins” the heart desires.
“Between nuts, fruits, candy, we would have 11 and a half million different varieties of different ice cream,” said Cold Stone owner Rick Ellis. “You think of something and your imagination is the only limit of what we can make for you.”
For first-timers or people who are just too overwhelmed with possibilities, Cold Stone suggests 32 different creations that combine their ice cream — made fresh daily — with a variety of mix-ins. Among the most popular combination is the Cake Batter Remix, made with brownies, rainbow sprinkles, fudge and cake batter ice cream, a flavor that tastes like it’s straight from mom’s mixing bowl.
“I really like when young kids come in and they have never been here before and you explain to them how it works,” said Cold Stone employee and Radford University student Ashley Carr. “They get really excited that they can imagine anything they want.”
The second reason that Cold Stone ranks among the top ice cream shops in the area is their service. The scoopers are enthusiastic; over half of the 47 staff members are Tech students and several others attend Radford.
“Everyone that works at Cold Stone is outgoing and fun and it makes the work atmosphere fun,” Carr said.
Its entertainment factor sets Cold Stone apart from other ice cream parlors. Along with the earnest greeting, employees also offer samples, blend in the “mix-ins,” customize ice cream cakes right in front of you, and sing a song when costumers put money in the tip jar. With the wait in line being as long as 10 to 15 minutes sometimes in the popular night-time hang out, a little interaction can make the passing time a lot more enjoyable.
“We try to get (the customer) involved in the process,” Ellis said. “People don’t mind waiting ten or fifteen minutes in line because it is part of the show.”
And it’s not just the customers who enjoy the experience; the servers also seem to have a good time.
“If you really enjoy doing it, it’s more than a job, more than a paycheck,” Ellis said. “It is a passion and you’ll perform well.”
Cold Stone says it best with one of its seven founding principles: “The Best First Job a Kid Could Ever Have.”
Ellis attributes much of the stores success not only to the service, but to the “experience” as a whole. Cold Stone refers to the experience as a “10 minute vacation,” he said.
“Ice Cream is an indulgence, it’s not like you have to have ice cream,” Ellis said. “So to (be successful), you really have to be top of your game.”
Cold Stone seems to have it figured out; Ellis said that last Saturday they served over 1,100 customers.
“It is the best ice cream, I don’t know why anyone would go anywhere else,” Carr said.
