RSS 2.0 FeedThursday, January 26, 2012, Featured Articles, Bellmore Life
Merrick's Gies family opens Hershey’s Ice Cream of Bellmore
Grand opening on Saturday, January 28 on Bellmore's famed Bedford Avenue.
by Eric Homberger
The newest addition to the ever-changing Bedford Avenue will open on Saturday, January 28, at noon: Hershey’s Ice Cream of Bellmore.
The store is owned by brothers Bobby, Ronnie and Tommy Gies of Merrick. All three brothers are local firefighters who have come together to create their own buisness.
The store is a ’50s-style ice cream parlor that will serve only Hershey products, and will have everything from ice cream to frozen yogurt to movie-style candy. Regular, low-fat and fat-free ice creams and yogurts will be served.
“[It’s] a place for kids to hang out,” said Bobby. He also said that their store will be “totally” different from any other store on the block, and will be “drastically cheaper” than the other local dessert-based businesses.
Bobby said he was visiting with Hempstead Town Councilman Gary Hudes one day and was parked across the street from Gennaro Jewelers, in front of an empty storefront, when the idea flashed across his mind to open an ice-cream store at that precise location.
Bobby said he knew people that could help him get a Hershey’s franchise within days.
It has only taken two-and-a-half months for these brothers to make their vision a reality. “[It was] a pretty good risk to take,” Bobby told Bellmore Life. He said that with the large volume of kids and families who walk Bedford Avenue, “It’s a great place to put a kid- and family-friendly ice cream store.”
He said he did not believe the new store will compete against International Café, for example, because they are both serving different customers. He added that Ralph’s Ice was also different from what they will offer.
The hours will be Monday-Thursday, 2-10 p.m, Friday, 2-11:30 p.m, Saturday noon-11:30 p.m. and Sunday, noon-10 p.m. For information you can go to the Hershey’s of Bellmore Facebook page.
