- April 25, 2024
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The ice cream shop, run by Ben and Marilynn Sternberg, will celebrate its anniversary next month, with free dessert for all.
BY PAULA BUCK | CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Even on a quiet Monday afternoon, Hershey’s Ice Cream of Ormond Beach boasted a steady stream of sweets fans.
“Lots of kids from nearby schools, such as St. James Episcopal and St. Brendan’s Catholic, often gather here at the end of the day,” owner Ben Sternberg smiled.
He and his wife, Marilynn, say they are passionate about serving treats to a community they “are proud to call home.” And they've been doing it for the past five years.
The couple celebrates five years in business this month, and to commemorate the event, they will serve free ice cream cones one day in September, to anyone who stops by.
Bright lights, richly colored walls and contemporary music set the scene inside the ice cream shop. And a huge assortment of candies — from jelly beans and gummy sharks (jumbo), all the way to nostalgic favorites, such as candy buttons on paper, nonpareils and Mallow Cups — line the counters and shelves.
There are also kosher, lactose, gluten- and sugar-free options.
”It’s a good thing,” Ben said, “to make everybody happy.”
While waiting at the freezer, containing 48 flavors, patrons glaze over a photographic history of Ormond Beach, provided by the Ormond Beach Historical Society.
“This is real ice cream,” Marilynn emphasized, “no forced air, no artificial ingredients. ... We have eight chocolate-based flavors ... (but vanilla) is the staple for many milkshakes, sundaes, banana splits and so on.”
“It’s really delicious," said Sue Wilcox, one patron, who got a honey-cinnamon frozen Greek yogurt.
Zach Ballas, a Seabreeze High School student working the counter, smiles and offers samples.
“I like working here," he said. "Everybody’s nice. Who can complain about serving ice cream?”
Not Ben Sternberg. He credits Ballas, who also pitches and plays left field for the Seabreeze Sandcrabs baseball team, with helping "build the business."
“All of our staffers are top-notch,” Marilynn Sternberg added.
The shop also gets involved in the community. The Sternbergs display numerous plaques from various churches, the Volusia County Schools Partnership and Habitat for Humanity. They also sponsor athletic teams and provides ice cream for local classrooms.
“We have given students thousands of ‘Above and Beyond Reward’ (ice cream) certificates,” Ben Sternberg said. They get recommendations of high-achieving students from teachers.
But the Sternbergs haven't always been in the ice cream business. They made the transition out of office supplies and into desserts five years ago.
“The idea of an ice cream shop really started as a joke,” Ben recalled. “What could be more simple than ice cream? I’ll serve two flavors — chocolate and vanilla. When it’s gone, I’ll go home.”
But it didn't turn out quite as simple as that.
In addition to the near-50 flavors they offer, the Sternbergs make custom cakes for parties; they travel to events, such as fairs and club meetings; and they cater corporate events.
"We are proud to be here, and we really want to give back," Ben Sternberg said.
Call 492-5925.
You're invited!
Hershey's Ice Cream, at 145 E. Granada Blvd., will host its fifth anniversary party 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22. Come in for a complimentary cone.
