When the newest scoop shop opens its doors on Tuesday, December 27 in Metairie, LA, a suburb of New Orleans devastated by Hurricane Katrina, the words progress, normalcy and perseverance spring to mind.
“After what we've been through, I think bringing Ben & Jerry's to this community has an extra special meaning”
"After what we've been through, I think bringing Ben & Jerry's to this community has an extra special meaning," said Anjay Keswani, who co-owns the scoop shop with Tom Fristoe. "To see kids eating ice cream and enjoying themselves has never looked so good."
To commemorate the opening, Keswani and Fristoe are donating proceeds from the shop's opening week to the New Orleans Habitat for Humanity.
"A little happiness can go a long way right now," Fristoe said. "It's Christmas time, New Orleans is going to be back and what better way to celebrate some progress than having some ice cream."
Fristoe and Keswani, who are well-known restaurateurs in New Orleans, were actually attending the Ben & Jerry's Scoop University training in Vermont and planning the opening of the store when Katrina hit. They immediately flew home and led a two-car convoy packed with restaurant employees and friends to Florida, where Keswani stayed in a Red Cross shelter for several weeks before returning to his home - which had a badly leaking roof and flooded. He has been sleeping in a chair in his living room while re-opening his existing restaurants and planning the opening of his new scoop shop.
"I don't really know how we've been able to pull this off, but I do know the support of the Ben & Jerry's corporate offices and local contractors has been absolutely vital," Keswani said.
For more information, contact Anjay Keswani at (504) 400-0149.
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