Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Pelcher.
Hi Jennifer, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My husband Steve and I grew up in Rochester, NY, where Abbott’s originated in the early 1900s. Both Steve and I grew up eating Abbott’s, as did a lot of our friends and neighbors. Back in Rochester, when you went out for ice cream, you went out for Abbott’s. In the summer, the original Abbott’s stand located on Lake Ontario was a favorite hangout of the locals. It was where you went after school once the weather turned nice in the springtime and where you stopped before a walk on the pier at night.
In 2013, Steve and I made the move to Winter Garden due to Steve receiving a promotion at work that required him to be down here. We settled into the Summerlake Community of Winter Garden with our two young boys Jaxon and Brycen. Over the next couple of years, Steve and I saw the area known as Horizon West grow tremendously and we started commenting to one another that this would be a fantastic place for an Abbott’s! Then in early 2018, as Hamlin Town Center started to take shape we decided to move forward with our idea of introducing the locals to our favorite treat from back home and contacted the Abbott’s Corporate office to inquire about opening our own location. After a few months of talks and visits back to Rochester to meet the Abbott’s team it was decided that Abbott’s Hamlin would be a go!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The biggest struggle we have encountered is when COVID-19 hit our country last spring. As with everyone, we really didn’t know what to expect or how to handle business. Should we close? Stay open? Modify our business in some way? It was a very stressful time as we didn’t want to put our employees or our customers at risk; however, we also didn’t want to lose our business. We managed to shift our model slightly, introducing an online ordering portal, curbside pickup and also by focusing on our ‘to-go’ options such as take home pints, pies, cakes and novelties. Luckily, we have a wonderful, patient community that supported us through all of the changes
As you know, we’re big fans of Abbott’s Frozen Custard. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Abbott’s Frozen Custard began in the early 1900s when Arthur Abbott perfected his secret recipe for frozen custard. After traveling the eastern seaboard he eventually found his way to Rochester, NY where he settled down and opened his stand across from Lake Ontario. Over the years, the Rochester community fell in love with Abbott’s custard and when it came time to retire, Arther sold his recipe to Leonard and Thelma Shreiber who’s family continues to own and operate Abbott’s to this day.
I, along with my husband Steve, grew up in Rochester eating Abbott’s Frozen Custard. It was our favorite treat as it is many Rochestarians. Abbott’s stands out not only for it’s rich, creamy, one-of-a-kind custard flavor but also for it’s involvement in the community. We love to be as involved as we can with local events, schools and fundraisers. At Abbott’s, everyone should feel like they are part of the family. We strive to do that by being the go to place after any event or occasion! Steve and I are extremely proud to be able to serve Abbott’s Frozen Custard on a daily basis. We love to see families come in to enjoy the amazing custard that we grew up eating and we love that we have been given this opportunity to introduce Abbott’s to our adopted hometown!
At Abbott’s, we over a large variety of frozen treats such as scoops, shakes, flurries, sundaes and novelties such as cookie wheels, frozen bananas and turtles (sundae on a stick). We also offer a variety of cakes and pies made right in our shop.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to me as the owner of Abbott’s is that of course, we produce and serve the best tasting product to our customers but also that we are a part of our overall community. I love to see the smiles on the faces not only as our customers walk in the door but also as they leave. I want them to feel welcome each time they walk in, to be greeted by our staff and for the regulars to be remembered. I want Abbott’s to be involved as much as possible with our school and youth athletic leagues to support the overall health and wellbeing our kids and community. I strive to be a positive role model for not only my kids but for my employees as well, For many of them, working at Abbott’s has been their first job and I want my staff to remember their time with me as a positive one where they learned the responsibilities that come along with holding a job but also, a place where they had fun, made friends and felt a part of the family!
Pricing:
- Scoops: $3.95/$4.75/$6.10
- Milkshakes: $6.25/$7.25
- Pies: $26.50
- Cakes: $27.50/$31.50/$38.50
- Novelties: $3.50 – $4.75
Contact Info:
- Email: abbottswg@abbottscustard.com
- Website: www.abbottscustard.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abbottshamlin/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AbbottsHamlin
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/abbotts-winter-garden?osq=Ice+Cream
- Other: https://abbottshamlin.square.site/
Image Credits
Melissa Ann Photography (3 images – Me holding cake, holding cone, at pint case)
