“It wasn’t just about selling ice cream.”
This idea has shaped Ampersand Ice Cream since it first opened its doors in Fresno over 10 years ago. Today, Ampersand has grown into a popular local destination with multiple locations across Fresno. But co-founder and CEO Jeff Bennett says the mission has always been deeper than ice cream.
Ampersand began in a much simpler way – in a home kitchen. What began as small batches of different flavors of ice cream being gifted to family and friends slowly turned into something bigger. Bennett reflected on his childhood roots influencing the spark that led to creating Ampersand and developing it into the running business it is today.
“Well, I come from a family of business owners, so I guess it was always in my genes. As I grew up in my career, I found myself constantly thinking and working outside the box. Sometimes that made me more successful in my position, and sometimes it got me into trouble. But that desire to work outside the box, I think, is what ultimately led me to decide to pursue being a business owner,” he said.
Bennett mentioned the ups and downs he faced in the process of growing a business, including that many banks did not provide loans to Ampersand because they thought a business that only sold ice cream wouldn’t be profitable in an industry dominated by ice cream giants. When business comes up in a discussion, metrics and numbers naturally arise, but when speaking to Bennett, it was clear that his primary focus was the impact of his business on his community.
Ampersand is known for its rotational flavors, which change every month, and its use of local ingredients in new creations. This vision of helping and including the community of the Central Valley spoke to many – so many, in fact, that 110 backers pledged $20,101 in 2015 to the business’ crowd-funding Kickstarter, which was the beginning of bringing Ampersand to life. Bennett said the inspiration for this was seeing the opportunity for his business in his city.
“Ice cream came into the picture because Fresno didn’t have it at the time. So, from a business standpoint, we saw an opportunity to serve more people without competing with other local businesses,” he said.
With his wife and fellow entrepreneur Amelia, Bennett persevered through these obstacles and fulfilled their Kickstarter goal, opening their first location on North Echo Avenue on Memorial Day in 2015. The Fresno community showed up.
“We’re here for the community, and they helped build us. This whole place was really built by friends and family. We had friends build countertops from Cedar Lanes bowling alley wood, and people do menus signs. So it’s fun to look around and see our community’s fingerprints all over it,” Amelia Bennett told ABC30.
This opening was the beginning of a beloved spot for the Fresno community. The moment someone enters one of the three locations of Ampersand, they receive a warm welcome from the staff who are ready to introduce the monthly menu of flavors while other staff are visible making fresh ice cream through a window inside. Jeff Bennett expressed the importance of making Ampersand more than a business, but a place of connection.
“I hope people truly see us as a safe haven where they can be themselves, feel valued and be appreciated. I hope they recognize that our true passion is fostering a sense of community and encouraging people to connect in their neighborhoods. With all the division in the world, having places where everyone can cope together and enjoy something in common is crucial for positive change,” he said.
Almost a decade after its opening, Ampersand continues to reflect the idea that started it all: community. Rather than just a place to buy and consume, for Jeff Bennett Ampersand is a place where people can connect with their community and feel welcomed. Ampersand has highlighted the role that local businesses play in a city’s identity, creating gathering places that serve as a small reminder of what shared experiences can bring in a community.
“Years from now, our hope is that Ampersand is remembered as a true pillar of its community,” Bennett said. “Not because of what we built, but because of how we showed up.”
