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His family has owned and operated Curly's Ice Cream in Riverdale, N.J. since 1958. So, when he was downsized from an AT&T corporate job last year, there was no question what he would do next: Pursue a lifelong dream and open his own place.
Chester Ice Cream opened July 1 and had its official ribbon-cutting ceremony Aug. 24.
And yes, Curly's premium homemade ice cream is served. What makes the ice cream special, said Brad, is that it's made fresh on a daily basis with whole fresh ingredients.
"Very often when we get a delivery of ice cream, it has just come out of the ice cream machine that morning and needs to be frozen longer in our store before we can serve it," he said.
Popular flavors include Cookie Dough, Cannoli Cream and Cookies & Cream. Big now -- the seasonal flavors of Apple Pie, Pumpkin and Cookie Monster (blue vanilla ice cream with Oreo cookie, chocolate chip cookie and crushed flying saucer wafers). Customers will also find ice cream cakes, shakes, saucers, Italian ices, and soft serve ice cream nachos with waffle chips.
The store, he said, is meant to be a small hometown, family ice cream shop and is open year round. He runs it with his wife, Christine, an occupational therapist with her own home-based business.
To that end, customers will find walls painted in the school colors. Already, the shop has held a few events to support local school sports teams.
Said Post: "Families and friends from many towns in the area have come to Chester Ice Cream to meet and spend quality time together, to sit and enjoy our frozen treats."
Chester Ice Cream is at 69 Brookside Ave., 845- 610-5888, www.chestericecream.com/.
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