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Date: 1/14/2021
LONGMEADOW – This spring, Longmeadow will have a new spot to stop for something cold and sweet. Dave LeRiche and Deb LeRiche, owners of Batch Ice Cream, will be opening a permanent location at the Longmeadow Shops on Bliss Road.
Batch Ice Cream has operated an ice cream truck during the warm weather season on Tuesdays outside the Longmeadow Shops since 2018, shortly after the owners bought the company and existing recipes from the original Batch creators in Boston. Dave said that the brand creators designed the base of the ice cream to be “clean,” and that he and his wife have worked to maintain that standard.
“That’s kind of our identity,” Dave said. “Four of our nine flavors have five ingredients.” He said that they do not use corn syrup, gum or carrageenan in their recipes. “It leaves a very clean mouth-feel.”
Just as important as what the duo don’t put in their products is what they do.
Dave noted that they peel and bake the bananas for the Caramelized Banana & Walnuts recipe while they use high-quality whiskey in the Brown-Sugar Bourbon & Pecan flavor. They also partner with local companies such as Auntie Cathy’s Cookies to make ice cream sandwiches and Harmony Springs for Batch’s root beer floats.
“We were very fortunate that we were invited to set up at the Longmeadow Shops,” said Deb. When the season ended this past fall, Deb said Melissa Pevay, marketing manager for The Longmeadow Shops, presented the LeRiches with an opportunity for a pop-up store in one of the unoccupied storefronts.
Opening a pop-up ice cream store in the winter, during a pandemic may not seem like a logical decision.
“We’ve had a lot of people say, ‘Are you guys crazy,’” Deb said with a laugh, but the company has cultivated a relationship with customers, many of whom have encouraged them to continue operating their truck during the colder months. “It’s fun seeing people bundled up during a snowstorm, getting a milkshake,” Dave said.
The LeRiches explained that a shop offers opportunities to offer more flavors and toppings than the trucks. There is also the ability to offer more dairy-free and vegan options. The pop-up encouraged Batch to offer seasonal varieties, like peppermint stick with Oreo, and cold-weather drinks, such as hot cocoa.
Now, with the pop-up closing on Jan. 31, Batch and The Longmeadow Shops have entered into a new partnership for a permanent location next to Max Burger-Longmeadow. The store is expected to open in late April or early May.
“Ice cream is something that the community has asked us over and over to bring back to ‘The Shops.’ The Longmeadow Shops was developed in the 1960s by Prestley Blake, co-founder of Friendly’s Ice Cream, making ice cream a staple at The Longmeadow Shops for decades. We are thrilled to have Batch join us,” said Pevay.
“The permanent location is a big investment. We’re working with an architect to build it out. We’re designing the whole concept.” Deb said, including doors that will slide open completely to create an open-air experience in the summer.
Dave added, “It’s going to be the coolest ice cream shop ever.”
Batch Ice Cream will continue to operate their two ice cream trucks and private events and at breweries and wineries.
For the shop, Dave and Deb have purchased equipment and had to learn how to translate their truck business into a different environment. They are also hiring 10 to 12 people, many from Longmeadow. The LeRiches expect there to be a return on their investment, though, as the pop-up expanded their customer base by 35 to 40 percent. The couple is committed to the new location and the area, and as such, are looking for a home in Longmeadow.
“We always said if we were going to open a place it would be in Longmeadow,” Dave commented. “It’s our people. We’ve built a great base.” Deb agreed, saying, “We’re just very blessed with how things have fallen into place.”
The most important part to the LeRiches is that the customers enjoy themselves. “We want everybody to have an amazing experience when they walk in and that they feel at home and leave with the most amazing product,” said Dave.
More updates for the opening date of Batch Ice Cream can be found on facebook.com/thelongmeadowshops and instagram.com/thelongmeadowshops, and for information on Batch Ice Cream, visit batchicecream.com.