“We are a community first, then a business … our community consists of our growers, suppliers, employees and the people who come shop. We like to grow the community. We grow out, not up.” –Jeni Britton Bauer
What is the best thing in the world? Ice cream! What makes it even better? Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams shop with their eccentric vision and complete obsession with using natural high-quality ingredients to produce exciting, new flavors of rich, homemade ice cream.
The Vision
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams’ vision, much like the concept of ice cream itself, is a simple one: to make the ice creams they want to make. It’s not about what ice creams that can be mass-produced or what flavors create the most revenue. On the contrary, Jeni’s is one of the few businesses that concentrate whole-heartedly on growing the community and producing a product that meets standards of absolute quality.
After ten years of growing her company, Jeni Britton Bauer has projected a very specific image. This is to put Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams shops in communities that reflect particular characteristics of individuality, creativity and originality. East Nashville is one of these auspicious places where community spirit and individuality thrive. It is also perfect for a Jeni’s shop location. Jeni’s is not just an ice cream shop; it is an integral part of the community. To make sure of this, the company partakes and supports community activities such as fEASTival Nashville 2012 and also uses local ingredients whenever possible.
The Ingredients
Having local suppliers and growers clearly displays Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams’ resolve to be an avid part of the community that it is located in. Many ingredients are either locally grown or imported from growers/suppliers who do not use any source of child labor. These are typically private suppliers whose products reflect grand quality, care and are not mass-produced.
These precious ingredients are the foundation for the rich, exotic flavors that Jeni and her team creates and carries in the shops. It is the fiber that’s used by the many employees to create a homemade sensation that lives up to every spoken standard of quality.
Reaping the Rewards
The economy has concerned most businesses during the last few years, but Jeni’s unique vision, image and location strategies have served them well. Communities appreciate the shop’s contributions, not to mention its mouth-watering treats.
The End to an Ongoing Story
It’s true that ice cream is the best item on the planet. It’s the cause of fun, happiness, and instant gratification to people of all ages. However, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams’ story goes far beyond just ice cream and shows how a little shop with a lot of creativity, character and tenacity can go a long ways. So make sure you stop by the shop, get a scoop and continue the story.
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
1982 Eastland Ave. Nashville, TN
Written by: Kiley Frank
