Goodnite Irene

We made it through Hurricane Irene without too many problems here at Gary's Home Made Ice Cream.  Although we had intended to remain closed all day Sunday, I got so many phone calls that we opened at 3pm.  Many people in the surrounding communities (Chelmsford, Lowell, Billerica, Westford, Dracut, etc) had been without power all day due to trees and branches down all over, but we were fortunate to have maintained steady electric power.

Business was much brisker than I expected - only Tommy and I worked - we could've used at least 1 more person but who knew!?!

Finally at 9pm with a line at the window the power went out.  But it came right back on.  Then a minute later it went out again - but it came right back on.  Then it went out a third time - and stayed off til almost 1 a.m.  I came in after that - did the cleanup, batched out the debit and credit card transactions, checked all the refrigeration and went home.

All is quiet now....it is a beautiful Monday morning - blue skies and 70 degree temperature. 

The only problem we really had - we lost one of our 11' sunflowers that was on the island in front of the shop.  Those 2 sunflowers had grown into monsters - but one snapped off at the base.  It could have been a lot worse.

-Peace & Carrots,     Gary

Today is our 38th Birthday - August 9, 2011

It is with great pride that I announce that on this date (August 9^th) 38 years ago we opened Gary’s Ice Cream for the very first time!   We opened at about 1 p.m. and the first customer, whose name I never got, ordered a chocolate frappe.

Since that first day, I have made and sold over ONE HALF MILLION gallons of ice cream!!!  That comes out to almost 5 and ½ million small cones! 

As we enter our 38^th year in business we’re still in the back room making the ice cream the same way we did in 1973 – just a lot more of it  per year.   However, I still use the same basic formulas, many of the same ingredients and suppliers and turn out what I (and many customers) feel is the best ice cream available in New England!

My thanks to those who helped to make Gary’s Ice Cream the success that it has become including my parents, the late Dorothy & Frank Frascarelli, my mentor in the ice cream business and former employer –  the late John A. Glennie, his employees – Charlie Greene and Bill McCloughry.  The past 38 years would not have been possible without my suppliers.

Also special thanks to my employees over the years –Over  600!

But mostly, I must thank our customers for their loyalty and patronage.  Without them, Gary’s Ice Cream would not have lasted.

Please join us in looking forward to year 38!

Come by tonight from 6 -9 and you might get your order for free!!  I'll be giving random customers either their order for free or at a big discount to celebrate our 38th Birthday!

A Heartfelt Thanks,

Gary Frascarelli

Upcoming Events at Gary's Ice Cream

On Saturday August 20th, members of PART (Police Amateur Radio Team of Westford) will be holding a pot luck picnic and BBQ in our picnic area.  If you're interested in Ham Radio come on by - details coming!

On Saturday August 27th, our neighbor across the street, Matthews Memorial Church, will be holding their Folk Music Coffee House in our picnic area - details to come!

August 3, 2011

Making ice cream right now.  Vanilla, Coffee, Chocolate and Peppermint Stick being made today. 70 gallons in 2 hours.