In The News
Cold Stone Creamery by Staff Writer Kim Botton
« Return to Previous Page Release Date: 10/22/2006PORT ST. LUCIE - When Beth and David Glener first heard about the plans for Superplay USA, they knew they wanted to be involved. Part of the plan was to open an ice cream shop in the facility, and the Gleners
decided they wanted to be the ones to own and operate that venture.
After researching various ice cream franchises, they decided on Cold Stone Creamery.
"It's a fun atmosphere, and it works well with Superplay," Mrs. Glener said. "We're not just scooping ice cream. We give the whole ice cream experience.
"Plus it's a good product," she added.
Mrs. Glener was a sales representative with Compaq before opening the store, and her husband is a pain management doctor in private practice in Port St. Lucie. Dr. Glener wanted to open a Cold Stone
Creamery location because he wanted a happy place to go after spending his days with people who are unhappy because of their medical issues.
"David comes in here at night after working all day, and leaves tired, but with a smile on his face," Mrs.
Glener said.
Cold Stone Creamery offers customers more than just a scoop of ice cream in a cone. They offer what the corporation calls "creations." There are many creations people can choose from, such as "At the Cocoa
Banana Cabana" or the "Cherry loves Cheesecake," which Mrs. Glener said is her favorite creation.
If someone cannot decide on a creation, which can be hard to do, he or she can create an original. The store offers numerous toppings, which are mixed into the ice cream on a frozen slab of marble.
All of the ice cream is made at the store, as well as most of the added ingredients. The store continuously smells of waffle cones, which are made each morning.
The store also makes ice cream cakes in a variety of flavors, and with character decorations for children.
The company recently added smoothies to the menu, as well.
Cold Stone Creamery opened its doors at Superplay USA Sept. 10, and business has been steadily increasing, Mrs. Glener said.
"But we're still finding that people don't know we're open," she said. "Once somebody comes to Cold Stone though, they always come back."
To prepare for their new career in the ice cream business, the Gleners attended Ice Cream University in Arizona, where Cold Stone Creamery is headquartered. They spent two weeks, usually 10 to 12 hours a
day, learning all about the ice cream business and how to make their Cold Stone Creamery a success.
"It was more intense there during the day then any night at the store," Mrs. Glener said.
They worked at several stores in Arizona to get the feel of how a store operates.
Since the concept behind Cold Stone Creamery is fun, the Gleners employ between 20 and 25 people, most of them teenagers.
"We have a great crew," she said. "They have fun and make money. It's a great job for kids."
Also pitching in at the store are the Gleners' three children. Their twin teenagers, Adam and Julie, who are 15, help out at the store, while 12-year-old Steven helps out in the back, washing dishes or making sure
the store is clean.
Mrs. Glener is excited with the couple's first retail business. She said it can be tiring work, but she enjoys it.
"I like making people happy," she said. "What other business can you be in that's fun and makes people happy?"
Cold Stone Creamery is located at 1604 N.W. Courtyard Circle, in Superplay USA, in St. Lucie West.
The store is open noon to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and noon to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
For more information, call (772) 873-0646.
