Chronicle: Ice Cream Social – The Family Business

AT AGE 10, BILL BEGAN CONTRIBUTING TO THE FAMILY BUSINESS BY MAKING CHOCOLATE BUNNIES IN HIS PARENTS’ HOME. ONE OF HIS BIGGEST CONTRIBUTIONS WOULD COME YEARS LATER IN THE 1980’S WHEN HIS FATHER, SARRIS CANDIES FOUNDER FRANK SARRIS, HAD AN IDEA. >> BACK IN THE DAY, THERE WERE A LOT OF SODA SHOPS. SODA FOUNTAINS. MY DAD LOVE THE IDEA OF SAYING WE SHOULD LOOK INTO THAT. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO? HE SAYS, I WANT TO PUT IN AN ICE CREAM PARLOR OR SODA SHOP. BUT WE DO NOT KNOW ANYTHING. HE SAYS, SEE WHAT YOU CAN FIND OUT. RYAN: BILL DID FIND SOMETHING OUT ON A FORTUITOUS VISIT TO MCREATH’S DAIRY IN WASHINGTON COUNTY. >> I WAS THERE ONE DAY AND SAID — HE WAS OLD, 90’S. DO YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT ICE CREAM? HE SAYS I AM 90 YEARS OLD, I’VE BEEN WAITING 75 YEARS FOR SOMEONE TO ASK ME. HE HAD A STACK OF PAPERS WITH ICE CREAM RECIPES. RYAN: AS BILL BEGAN HONING HIS CRAFT OF MAKING THE ICE CREAM, A NEW CHAPTER FOR SARRIS BEGAN, WITH THE ADDITION OF OLD-STYLE, THROWBACK ICE CREAM PARLOUR. >> THAT WAS MY MOM AND DAD. OLD-FASHIONED ICE CREAM PARLOR WITH A KICK. A LITTLE MODERN DESIGN, BUT STILL STAYING WITH THE OLD FASHIONED KIND OF LOOK. RYAN: NOWADAYS, BILL NO LONGER MAKES THE ICE CREAM. BUT HE’S STILL VERY MUCH INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS AS A TASTE-TESTER. >> THEY BRING ME THINGS TO TASTE ALL THE TIME. 7:30 IN THE MORNING, THEY ARE WALKING IN MY OFFICE WITH A SCOOP OF ICE CREAM. I GO, OH BOY. I HAVE TO EAT THIS? RYAN: THE UILTIMATE TASTE-TESTERS ARE, OF COURSE, THE CUSTOMERS, WHO COME FROM ALL OVER THE REGION. >> IT STILL AMAZES ME, TO GO OUT AND LOOK IN THE PARKING LOT. SEE DIFFERENT LICENSE PLACE FROM ALL OVER THE PLACE. OHIO, WEST VIRGINIA, MARYLAND. >> I GOT THE FUDGE WITH RAINBOW SPRINKLES. >> WE ARE HAPPY TO MAKE PEOPLE HAPPY. I LOVE SEEING PEOPLE COME IN AND SAY, MY GRANDPA USED TO BRING ME HERE. DAD BROUGHT ME HERE, NOW I AM BRINGING MY KIDS HERE. WHEN I HEAR THAT, THINK HOW MANY GENERATIONS HAVE GONE THROUGH. I START THINKING HOW OLD I AM. HOPEFULLY, THIS WILL CONTINU

Chronicle: Ice Cream Social – The Family Business

Updated: 9:00 PM EDT Jul 15, 2022

When you think about taking a trip out for ice cream, your mind takes you to so many places.The baseball team getting a cone after an evening game, or coming to a place like Sarris Old Fashioned Ice Cream Parlour where you’re transported back in time when you order up a couple scoops.Learn more in the video player above.

When you think about taking a trip out for ice cream, your mind takes you to so many places.

The baseball team getting a cone after an evening game, or coming to a place like Sarris Old Fashioned Ice Cream Parlour where you’re transported back in time when you order up a couple scoops.

Learn more in the video player above.