Jeremy and 'I Dream of Jeni's' sweatshirt winner Brie, outside the Short North shop where the couple met in 2008. They'll marry this summer, with, yes, Jeni's Ice Creams in front of all their guests during the celebratory meal.
It's no secret that Jeni's fans put the "fan" in fanatic. We post something on Facebook, you respond so swiftly and enthusiastically that we can almost hear you typing wherever you are in the country. Jeni unveils a new flavor, you thoughtfully and eloquently report about the subtle nuances of the new exotic Midwestern delight's taste, texture, consistency, and finish. Jeni talks about opening a store in Chagrin Falls, Ohio (April 15), or a mini Jeni's in German Village (sometime this spring or summer), you clamor for a shop to open down the street from your house, wherever your house may be in America.
So, early this month when we reported here at Saltycaramel.com that we'd give away 10 American Apparel sweatshirts to 10 creative Jeni's loyalists, we thought a few testimonials would trickle into the inbox. We didn't anticipate 52 emails that made us laugh out loud, go "Awwwwwww," and say to our colleagues, "Hey, you have to read this."
Thanks from the bottom of our hearts to everyone for taking the time and putting forth such effort.
With that, let's take a look at the winning entries (in no particular order). Following this lineup of condensed stories, feel free to take a look at each unabridged entry (after the jump).
* Brie, a former Columbus resident now in residency in General Dentistry at the University of Toledo Medical Center, said "Jeni's ice cream will always hold a special place in my heart." She wrote about finding true love through Jeni's, experiencing the arc of the seasons through Jeni's menu, and--look out!---watching the real, live Jeni (Jeni Britton Bauer) work her magic in person. Brie and Jeremy, yes, will serve Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams at their wedding this summer and at least one of them will be there in a Jeni's sweatshirt.
* Erin, of Columbus, a self-described "devoted indulger and enthusiastic promoter of Jeni's" for nearly a decade, proclaimed that she "can't stand idly by while people go through life without experiencing a compelling reason for living." She added that when she takes people to one of Jeni's shops she suggests "ample sampling" and encourages her guests to try a Trio or a Study "to maximize exposure." She promised that if Jeni's ever formalizes an ambassador program, she'll be the first to sign up. "I can't think of a better ambassador accessory than a sea blue 'I Dream of Jeni's' sweatshirt," she said. We wholeheartdely second that.
* Lori, of Bellville, Ohio, is a "sleep-deprived" night-shift nurse with roots in Southern California and a deep connection to ice cream as a "quality indulgence." She always drives a car with trunk outfitted with an ice chest to transport pints. Having been introduced to Jeni's during her 50th birthday party, she now calls Jeni's "an art form that engages all the senses." Lori promised that if any of us here at Jeni's are ever in a 24-hour grocery that stocks Jeni's and we're there at 7:45 a.m. just after her shift ends, we'll see her "6'1" frame wearing that most delightful piece of clothing" as she "sprints" to grab Signature and Seasonal "of the moment" flavors.
* Tim, a 55-year-old from Stone Harbor, N.J., who suffered a serious health scare a couple of years ago, now takes running as seriously as ice cream. "No more Saturday afternoons on the couch with a couple of pints of ice cream from the store...To get the most out of each occasion of indulgence, I limit myself to Jeni's..." Bravo, Tim. We love the idea of making Jeni's a part of a sensible diet. Enjoying running in your new I Dream of Jeni's hoodie, friend.
* "I love Jenis more than I love hot asian buns from the Chinese bakery (don’t be tellin’ my mama, ok?)," wrote Yu-Fong of Chicago and that's pretty much all we had to read to decide to send a hoodie to her apartment in the Windy City. The self-described "hungry Asian with the big cooler" who shops at the Southport Grocery and Cafe went on to report that she swore that she's never eaten a pint of Jeni's by herself because "sharing is caring, people!"
Amy, a West Springfield, Mass., native (above) who lives in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., has a serious long-distance love affair with Jeni's ice cream from the moment she discovered Jeni's via Serious Eats. The Vassar student, "transfixed by the poetic names of Jeni's flavors," commandeered a road map during a recent road trip to Kansas and made sure the itinerary included ample time in Columbus to sample and devour Jeni's ice creams. "How can I describe it except as everything I ever wanted it to be?," she wrote. "Unlimited samples! Customary wafers! Brown Butter Almond Brittle! Ohio couldn’t have given an exhausted trio of a New Yorker, a Connecticuter, and a Massachusett a better welcome." As a group that plans vacations around culinary destinations ourselves, we totally understand why someone would want to make Jeni's part of the travel plans.
Katie, of Bexley, OH, thinks that location, location, location and Jeni's are the four most important words in real estate. When the recent househunter set out to buy an abode someplace in Columbus, she told her husband that wherever it was it needed to be within walking distance of one of Jeni's shops. When she said that to her husband, Katie, said, he "looked at me like I was crazy." She explained, he understood, and they bought a house near Jeni's shop in Bexley. "Jeni's entire concept is so carefully, deliberately thought out," she wrote, "every detail from ice cream flavors to branding, and yes, LOCATION--is so smart and well-executed that I trust her judgment on neighborhoods. Jeni and her husband seem to invest in stable, walkable, tightly-knit communities that embrace small, locally-owned businesses, which I'm definitely a fan of."
Lots of us love Jeni's ice cream. Jennifer, of Lucas, Ohio, didn't realize the seriousness of her love until the day she found herself "locked in the bathroom, polishing off the remaining pint of Salty Caramel" in her household. "The kids knocked on the door, inquiring, "Mom, where's the rest of the Jeni's Ice Cream?' " she confessed. "I closed my eyes and exaggerated the truth. 'I haven't seen it in a while!' 'Mom, are you eating it?' I hid the container in the cabinet, flushed the commode and yelled, 'I can't hear you!' " A hoodie for you, Jennifer, lest you get cold while devouring Jeni's ice cream in your bathroom.
Kelli, 17, of Pickerington, OH, loves Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams and finds "nothing as appealing as eating ice cream in a cozy American Apparel hoodie," but that of course is not why she won an I Dream of Jeni's hoodie. No, she won because her simple anecdote reminded some of us (namely your author) of those melodramatic teenage times when life and death seems to hang in the balance when something comes between you and a rock concert. Unlike the author of this post, who most likely is alive today because his mother wisely barred him from driving 60 miles each way in a snowstorm to see a Billy Squier show in the late '80s, young and wise-beyond-her-years Kelli did not throw a grade-A fit when fate changed her plans to see a concert. Yes, thanks to a pre-show helping of Jeni's ice cream, Kelli, when she arrived at the show to see a sign that said "Sold Out" simply went with the flow. "Being in the night with Jeni's ice cream with people you love," she wrote, "you realize that it's not about what you're doing, it's about how you do it, who you're doing it with, and what flavors you have in your trio."
* Blake, of Columbus, and Kristin, of Columbus, struck chords with anyone who has been dropped off by their parents at college, basic training, scared-straight programs, or what have you. There you are, alone perhaps for the first time in your life, out of sight of the watchful eyes of the people who raised you. Oh-so-exciting, oh-so-terrifying. Blake, a student at Columbus College of Art & Design, and Kristin, a student at Ohio State, encapsulated those familiar emotions in their thoughtful and passionate pleas for Jeni's hoodies.
Blake: "It was my first night of moving in. My parents had left me, I had no friends to share my awkward moments with, and the only thing I could think of was Jeni's. So I decided to put my best independent foot forward and make that 1.6 mile walk to the Short North not realizing what lie ahead. I faced angry cab drivers, beggars, and oblivious Columbus-natives. It was hot. I'm talking about air-bending and nausea inducing hot. Finally, I arrived...The wafting aroma of fresh waffle cones took me to pancakes with my Grandmother as a child. The comfortable aesthetic reassured any doubts I may have had. Then it happened. I stepped up to the coolers and saw the first flavor: Celery. I was shocked! Who makes Celery an ice cream flavor? Reluctant to turn and leave empty-handed I bought two scoops: celery and salty caramel. My life, from that very moment, was changed forever."
Kristin: "I was absolutely mortified of acclimating to Columbus, considering I knew where nothing was, and had no close contacts in the area. When some people from my dorm invited me to the Short North location for the night, I cautiously agreed...Corny as it may sound, sometimes you just get a vibe from a place, even without really knowing it, that it's a happy location, where people genuinely want to be. There was something eloquent and peaceful about the big chalkboard on the wall with elegant cursive flavors and the light bouncing off the multicolored soda bottles on the shelf...Taking people to and telling them about Jeni's continues to be a great way to start relationships or just a way to brighten my day, and in a weird way I think it played a huge role in helping me adjust to college life."
(Careful readers will note that in our previous announcement of Sweatshirt winners, Kristin was omitted. Apologies to Kristin. Careful readers will also note that we originally said we were giving away 10 sweatshirts, but now we're awarding 11 people sweatshirts. Look, it's a beautiful Saturday and in re-reading a few of these e-mails, it's become even more difficult to give away just 10 of the articles of clothing. We know you feel our pain and we hope you understand.)
And now, set aside some time for the unabridged winning entries:
"In January of 2008, I ventured (to Jeni's) while on a second date with Jeremy in the Short North. We got my favorites: Salty Caramel and Lime Cardamom with Lingonberries. It was Jeremy's first time to Jeni's and I was super excited to introduce him to the very delicious ice cream.
A co-worker recently gave me a funny look when he heard someone thank me for sending along an email announcing Jeni's new Corn Syrup Custard with Whiskey & Pecans flavor. "You get *emails* from Jeni's?" "Well yes," I explained. "I'm sort of a self-appointed Jeni's Ambassador."
That's right. Ever since first encountering the delectable Jeni's stall at the wonderful North Market when I worked in Columbus in the summer of 2004, I have been a devoted indulger and enthusiastic promoter of Jeni's. As a self-appointed Jeni's Ambassador, I consider my duty to make sure pretty much everyone I meet in the Capital City knows about Jeni's, tries Jeni's, and loves Jeni's (of course as long as I accomplish the first two tasks, Jeni's takes care of the third!).
And while I'd much prefer to extol Jeni's virtues than criticize any other establishment, I believe a particularly important component of my mission is to make sure people know that the Ohio ice cream scene isn't composed only of a certain place offering diluted, humdrum flavors crammed with hard chunks of boring chocolate. Ahem. To each his own, I suppose, but I just can't stand idly by while people go through life without experiencing such a compelling reason FOR living.
Although, as I posted on facebook some time ago, I think that "heaven has to include Pumpkin Five-Spice ice cream sandwiched between almond macaroons and rolled in cinnamon-toasted pumpkin seeds from Jeni's, because otherwise, what's the point?" So there may be hope yet for those I don't manage to reach in this lifetime.
When I take someone to Jeni's for his or her first experience, I of course suggest ample sampling, and then generally encourage a trio or a study to maximize exposure. Unless the Oatmeal Creme sandwiches are in stock, because those are hard to resist. And if my all-time favorite sundae (Honey Vanilla Bean ice cream, red-wine soaked pear, black currant sauce and fresh whipped cream) is ever back on the menu, well . . . I guess I'd let my friend have a few bites of mine.
Jeni's can make a bad day better and a good day great. I'll never forget relying on pints of Lemon with Wild Blueberries to get me through the summer I studied for the bar or surviving long nights the office by rationing out nibbles on an Orchard Vanilla ice cream sandwich that my sweet husband thoughtfully brought me as the sky darkened outside my window. Perhaps my favorite memory is taking a group of girlfriends to the Grandview Jeni's after brunch for their first experience and having one friend so overcome with joy after tasting Savannah Buttermint that she exclaimed, "I just want to to put it all over my face!"
"And every time a morsel of unique deliciousness touches my tongue, I remember the time I was fortunate to hear Jeni speak at a YWCA event about how pursuing creativity means you have to give yourself permission to fail, and learn to see flops not as regrettable but rather, as an inherent part of the creative process. I've told many fellow perfectionists that powerful, inspiring, and comforting revelation over the years. (Usually as they are, at my insistence, trying a bite of Pear Riesling sorbet.)
"If you'd ever like to formalize the Jeni's Ambassador program, I'll be the first the sign up. And I can't think of any better Ambassador accessory than a sea blue "I Dream of Jeni's" sweatshirt. I'd sure love one.
--Erin
"Two years ago, I wound up in the hospital for the first time in my 55 year life with a serious infection in my leg. I came home from 2 months in the hospital 40 pounds lighter, barely able to walk, and taking insulin to deal with high blood sugar.
"Since then I have exercised like crazy, ran a couple of 5K races last summer, kept the weight off, and by following a very strict diet have a normal blood sugar without using any medication. Eating carefully has meant giving up a lot of favorites, including frequent ice cream treats. No more Saturday afternoons on the couch with a couple of pints from the store (an old bad habit).
'I now limit myself to indulging in ice cream every now and then. To get the most out of each occasion of indulgence, I limit myself to Jeni's, most often salty caramel (my all time favorite flavor.) The nearest Jeni's supply is 90 miles away, but it is much better to make the trip to have the best when I want a treat. Jeni's cones are still an important part of trips to Columbus.
"An 'I Dream of Jeni's' hoodie would be great to wear out running or to the gym as many days that is exactly reflects my state of mind.
"Thanks for the great ice cream and all of the great flavors.
--Tim
"I love Jenis more than I love hot asian buns from the Chinese bakery (don’t be tellin’ my mama, ok?). Time literally stands still when I open my freezer & there they are. Pints of Jeni’s Ice Cream. Pints that I have either driven back to Chicago after weekend visits with some of my best friends, or purchased at specialty shops in Chicago b/c they now sell it.
"In 2007, I met some of the best friends anyone could ask for. Brook (who I met in Chicago) & her girlfriend Mason who both lived in Columbus at the time were my LCH (Lesbian Crisis Hotline) when I was going through some girl troubles. One day, Brook says to me, “Yufy, why dontcha just drive up to Columbus & visit. You’d have a fun time & it’d be nice for you to get outta town for a few days!” To which I said, “I love you guys! & OMG, can we go to Jeni’s? I saw it on the Food Network & it looks great!” & Judges, I know this is cliché, but that was the beginning of the rest of my life!!
"Thus began my incredible love for Jenis, dry ice, & Columbus. Every time I’d visit, I’d bring my Columbus friends hot asian buns & they’d take me to Jenis. That was always the first & last thing we did during my trips there. OK, & of course, we’d go a fews times in between too.
"Never have I ever (ok, fine, maybe just a few times) sat & ate an entire pint of Jenis by myself. Why do you ask? Because sharing is caring people! I get so excited each time I come home from Columbus with a cooler full of Jenis, that I have friends over for Jenis tasting parties. &I have to be honest, I’m always sort of stingy with the Poached Pear Riesling Sorbet b/c it’s my favorite.
"I’ve paid many visits to the Short North location. So many times that some of the Jenis employees throw in an extra pint or 2 because they remember me from the last time I was there. I’m the hungry Asian with the big cooler! Now that some shops in Chicago carry Jenis, my life is even more complete. I’ve befriended the employees at Southport Grocery & Café here & every time I have brunch there (which is quite often), they always make sure that I have Jenis in hand on my way out.
"Jenis is a testament to why everything happens for a reason. See the order of events? Girl troubles lead to amazing friendships with amazing people (Brook, Mason, Crystal, “Hey gurls, heeeeeeeeeeey!”) which lead to a love for Jenis & Columbus which lead to many happy, happy, happy friends in Chicago! Jenis puts the biggest smile on my face. It puts a smile so big that you can’t see my eyes when I’m smiling that big. Oh wait, that might be because I’m Asian & already have small eyes. Thank you for your time & I hope to hear from you soon.
--Yu-Fong
"Plea for a Jeni's Sweatshirt (Or How I Once Had More Jeni's Pints In My Car Than Unbroken Windows)
"My love affair with Jeni’s has been long distance from the beginning. I initially discovered Jeni’s through reading an article on Serious Eats and was transfixed by the poetic names of each flavor, by the pictures of pints patiently waiting to be eaten— but I shook myself awake. Alas, it is not meant to be, I told myself. The Buckeye State is in, well, the Buckeye State, and I am in West Springfield, Massachusetts, 696 miles away. Woebegone, I brushed Jeni’s out of my mind as a large improbability and went on with my life.
"However, about half a year later (last summer), the stars aligned. I and two of my East Coast friends from college decided to take a 22-hour road trip to Kansas City to visit some of our Midwestern buddies. While planning the trip we decided that we weren’t going to wing it in a day and that booking a hotel room for the night was a good idea. As an avid foodie I began to do my research for delicious restaurants along our route-- when suddenly I remembered about the ice cream place I had read about so long ago that I had dismissed going to as a hopeless aspiration. Imagine an ear-shattering scream of joy, then apply that to ice cream, and you have my exact reaction when I found out that Jeni’s was located in the city that was our halfway point. Immediately I began to plan everything around going to Jeni’s for dessert on that one night. Was it coincidence that the hotel we booked was conveniently a two-minute drive from Jeni’s? I think not. Was the time we agreed to start our journey based around whether we could get to Jeni’s before closing time? My trip mates might disagree, but if so than they would be wrong. I was on a Jeni’s mission, and I wasn’t going to let that ice cream scream be for nothing but an empty dream.
"A couple weeks later, we were off. After 13 hours and a few thunderstorms here, a case of poison ivy there, we finally arrived in Columbus and went immediately to the Jeni’s on North High Street after checking in at our hotel. How can I describe it except as everything I ever wanted it to be? Unlimited samples! Customary wafers! Brown Butter Almond Brittle! Ohio couldn’t have given an exhausted trio of a New Yorker, a Connecticuter, and a Massachusett a better welcome. We went to bed content, but we knew that we would soon be wanting more.
"Ten fantastic days in Kansas City passed and we had to retrace our route back home. Luckily I had trained my companions well; no pleading on my part was necessary to make them comply with leaving bright and early so that we could go to Jeni’s a second time. We arrived in Columbus around 8 pm after a surprisingly flawless day of traveling and entered the North High Street location prepared for the icing on the cake—and Jeni’s didn’t fail to deliver. In fact, my family became so jealous from my descriptions on the phone of how good each flavor was that they demanded I bring six pints back for them in dry ice. Laughing at the ridiculousness, I complied with parents’ credit card in hand and with the selfish (yet not regretted) notion that ice cream for the family meant more ice cream for me too. Afterwards my friends and I parked the car on the street next to our hotel (in order to avoid the hotel’s exorbitant parking rate, we planned to pay the parking meter at 8 am when it came into effect) and fell asleep in our room satisfied, happy, and prepared for the long day ahead.
"Well, what we originally thought was going to be a long day was nothing compared to how long it actually was. Turns out that I not only forgot to remove my GPS mount from the windshield, but I also completely neglected to bring in the actual GPS and my iPod. Those factors led to us discovering in the midst of a depressing drizzle at 8 in the morning that my passenger window was completely smashed-- and the GPS, along with all of its accessories, had been stolen. Somehow my iPod and the bag of quarters right next to it had been left untouched, which was a consolation next to the number of insurance claims I had to make, police reports I had to file, and chips of broken glass that we had to sweep. When I went back to our hotel room to look up directions to the closest auto repair place, I saw the one thing that I had remembered to bring inside from the car the night before, the one thing which I evidently valued more than any item of technology: the box of Jeni’s pints. It was at this moment that I recognized the extent of my love for Jeni’s— and looking forward to indulging in Wildberry Lavender once home helped me last through the rest of that tiring, stressful day and the next. It was my love for Jeni’s that made me, at 2:30 am, enlist the help of my friends and an additional friend whose house we were crashing at for the night in cutting the Jeni’s box down so that it would fit in the freezer, just in case the dry ice failed. And it is my love for Jeni’s that makes me now remember Columbus as not the city in which I was burglarized, but as the city that is the home of the ice cream near and dear to my heart (but when I’m lucky, nearer to my stomach).
--Amy
"Last summer, my husband and I began the daunting process of shopping for a house. After renting in Grandview for awhile, we'd become a little bit spoiled with the ability to walk to virtually anything we needed--the grocery store, bars, restaurants, book stores, and most importantly (of course!): Jeni's!
"Like any responsible buyer, we had a list of "must-haves" in our future new home. Nothing fancy, really, just the standard stuff: at least a one-car garage, a small backyard, hardwood floors, updated electric. But I had one thing on MY personal list that was non-negotiable: the house must be within walking distance of a Jeni's Ice Cream Shop. When I mentioned this little factoid to my husband, he looked at me like I was crazy. But then I explained my rationale, and it made a little bit more sense to him. Of course, there was the "get-my-beloved-bankok-peanut-fix-whenever-i-want" factor.
"But Jeni's entire concept is so carefully, deliberately thought out--every detail from ice cream flavors to branding, and yes, LOCATION--is so smart and well-executed that I trust her judgment on neighborhoods. Jeni and her husband seem to invest in stable, walkable, tightly-knit communities that embrace small, locally-owned businesses, which I'm definitely a fan of. And did I mention the Bangkok Peanut?
"A couple of months later, we found our dream home on the south side of Bexley. Not only is it an adorable house in a friendly neighborhood with a great school district--but my husband and I can have "date nights" and walk to Jeni's whenever we want. And we do...often!"
--Katie
"My name is Jennifer, and I am a Jeni-oholic.
" "Hi, Jennifer!"
"It's hard to know when it began.
"In fact, I didn't realize the extent of the problem, until I found myself locked in the bathroom, polishing off the remaining pint of Salty Caramel.
"The kids knocked on the door, inquiring, "Mom, where's the rest of the Jeni's Ice Cream?"
"I closed my eyes and exaggerated the truth. "I haven't seen it in a while!"
" "Mom, are you eating it?"
"I hid the container in the cabinet, flushed the commode and yelled, "I can't hear you!"
"It was roughly four score and seven pints ago that I had my first taste of Jeni's, an experience so satisfying, it completely negated the trauma of turning 50. It started out with Dark Chocolate and Salty Caramel, and progressed to Goat Cheese with Roasted Cherries and Sweet Corn with Rasberries.
"I started out with one dip, but found I needed at least two in a cone. The three half scoops in a cup gave me variety, but soon I needed a "study." And then a "study" wasn't enough. I was going for a full blown college degree in dairy.
"A mere 12 months since, I have made the 60 mile jaunt to Columbus, at least a half dozen times, to buy, devour, and transport more Jeni's back home to Lucas, Ohio.
"I had it for my anniversary, my next birthday, and even celebrated with a half gallon when Justin Bieber cut his hair.
"My Facebook postings alone could qualify me as a spokesperson for the company. I am proud to say I have personally led at least a dozen people to the light. When I'm not talking about Jeni's, or eating Jeni's, I'm sending Jeni's.
"I have American Express charges covering shipment to Wake Forest, N.C., New Philadelphia, OH (twice, that little piggy brother of mine!), and North Canton OH.
"I told my husband, "It's about charity."
"He said, "I think it's more about Corn Syrup Custard with Whiskey and Pecans."
"He has a point, but dog gone it, when something is this good, how can you not share?
"That is, of course, as long as you're not down to the remaining pint.
"Then it's every woman for herself.
"I would be proud to wear a Jeni's hoodie! Please consider my "udder" devotion to Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams.
"Thank you,
--Jennifer
"No.. I didn't eat it a trio of only Brambleberry Crisp.. even though I know i'm allergic to Bramble berries... (if those are even real).
"All I did was have some of my most favorite memories while eating the best ice cream flavors in the country. Good times, spent with great people. 2 weeks ago, I drove out to Columbus to go to a concert at the basement.... but parked in the Short North. It was 35 degrees outside. My best friend and I decided to get Jeni's ice cream and then walk to the show. My plans were to get the new Bananas & Honey, but forgot and got Buckeye State. I was sad, but, since i'd never had Buckeye State, I soon forgot my troubles.
"We walked to The Basement.... eating ice cream, without coats, in the 35 degree weather, and when we got there... the show was sold out. Sad... but, it didn't matter because being in the night with Jeni's ice cream with people that you love, you realize that it's not about what you're doing.. it's about how you do it... who you're doing it with... and what flavors you have in your trio.
--Kelli
"Two years ago I began my adventure as a student at Columbus College of Art & Design. Being a rookie to the entire college scene, let alone the city, I was pretty overwhelmed with the sensory overload I was unexpectedly thrown into. I felt like the lone fish in a shark tank. During my orientation the summer prior to my beginnings, the one thing that sticks out in my mind: all of the orientation leaders EMPHASIZING the pertinence of experiencing Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams. They had me at Ice Cream (the "splendid" part was, and still is, a DEFINITE perk).
"It was my first night of moving in. My parents had left me, I had no friends to share my awkward moments with, and the only thing I could think of was Jeni's. So I decided to put my best independent foot forward and make that 1.6 mile walk to the Short North not realizing what lie ahead. I faced angry cab drivers, beggars, and oblivious Columbus-natives. It was hot. I'm talking about air-bending and nausea inducing hot. Finally, I arrived.
"The wafting aroma of fresh waffle cones took me to pancakes with my Grandmother as a child. The comfortable aesthetic reassured any doubts I may have had. Then it happened. I stepped up to the coolers and saw the first flavor: Celery. I was shocked! Who makes Celery an ice cream flavor? Reluctant to turn and leave empty-handed I bought two scoops: celery and salty caramel. My life, from that very moment, was changed forever.
"Since that fateful day two years ago, I frequent Jeni's. FREQUENTLY. I recall, specifically, a job last summer in which I was given a 60$ stipend to spend on food for my two week residency and employment. Being so close to Jeni's I lost all control of logic thought and spent every last penny on ice cream, not regular food. The sacrifice of nutrition was well worth the spoils of so many flavors. I make it a point to take my every pay check to Jeni's. Whenever there are new flavors released or even if it's been a week in between visits, I make sure my presence is always present!
"Just this past weekend I remember chatting with the Short North (Columbus) location employees before my purchase. Not only did they all know me by name but also called me their "MOST valuable customer!" Jeni's Ice Cream has gone full circle for me, insofar that now an Orientation Leader myself, I get to spread the love and joy inside every scoop with all the up and coming students. Jeni's Ice Cream is an exciting meeting place for friends and clientele, businessmen and women, students, laborers, etc. Everyone loves Jeni's, especially myself. It always is something I look forward to treating myself with after rigorous exams and project deadlines. Jeni's takes me out of an environment laden with stress and chaos to a place that I'm more than happy to visit.
"Go ahead! ASK the employees of the Short North Location if they know Blake, the excited guy from CCAD. I'm more than positive that more than half of the employees you speak with will remember how excited I get every time I go in!
"If this were an award show, I'd be giving my acceptance speech right now, and thanking my parents and producers. Because it's not an award show I just want to thank Jeni for kick ass ice cream!'
--Blake
"The first time that I ever tried Jeni's was about a year and a half ago, when I was just a wee first quarter freshman at the Ohio State University. I was absolutely mortified of acclimating to Columbus, considering I knew where nothing was, and had no close contacts in the area. When some people from my dorm invited me to the Short North location for the night, I cautiously agreed. I was a quiet person with purple hair who was too nervous to organize any gatherings of my own or often accompany anyone out for their High Street escapades, but that night I thought to myself, “Alright, you can't really go wrong with ice cream.”
"I remember the walk there being a terrible onslaught of rain and other fickle Ohio weather, and upon arriving I recall thinking, 'I really couldn't care less if these people had nothing other than pistachio flavor left, anything is better than being outside.' Corny as it may sound, sometimes you just get a vibe from a place, even without really knowing it, that it's a happy location, where people genuinely want to be. There was something eloquent and peaceful about the big chalkboard on the wall with elegant cursive flavors and the light bouncing off the multicolored soda bottles on the shelf.
"Sparing the painfully poetic details, I wound up ordering what I believe was called the Good Fortune sundae. Spending the night on the little colored bar stools frantically passing each other our crazy flavors was one of the finest memories I have. All of those people I was with wound up being great friends, two of whom became my current roommates. Sharing in the childlike simplicity of delicious ice cream, it seems, is all you need to know who your friends are.
"Since then, I have introduced my parents to this one of a kind ice cream, and even my relatively reserved father fell in love. Sometimes if I can legitimately think of nothing else to discuss, I can rest easy knowing that talking about the newest Jeni's flavor will be a way to connect with my family and friends. I nearly cried when I discovered that two locations near my home in Cleveland were going to be carrying this heavenly product.
"Taking people to and telling them about Jeni's continues to be a great way to start relationships or just a way to brighten my day, and in a weird way I think it played a huge role in helping me adjust to college life. Ironically, I once saw Jeni in the basement of the Ohio Union giving a class of some sort, and didn't even know it was her, except that I saw everyone in the class was smiling and looked really happy to be there. That's just the experience I've always had with Jeni's: happiness is always just a spoonful away."
--Kristin
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