Business At Plano Creamery Triples Since Blue Bell Recall
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NORTH TEXAS (CBS 11 NEWS) - Ever since Blue Bell's total recall last week, it's been 'churn and burn' at Henry's Homemade Ice Cream in Plano. Owner Henry Gentry, Jr. says, "Our business has been booming at the very least."
Gentry says the phone hasn't stopped ringing. He's answered calls from some of Blue Bell's longtime customers, including restaurants, hotels, and even other ice cream shops across North Texas and the region.
"They had been with Blue Bell for 30 years and suddenly out of business. The owner called me, 'can you make our ice cream?' I said, 'yes, I can.'"
Gentry has made and sold his own ice cream for 30 years, and says he's never been busier. "We're making 300 gallons of ice cream per day and my goal is to sell 300 gallons of ice cream per day." When asked if he's making his goal, Gentry said, "Yes, we do."
Before the recall, Gentry says they made 100 gallons of ice cream each day. During the course of the year, he says he makes as many as 1,000 different flavors. "Our apple sorbet has real pieces of apple in it. All the kids love Dinosaur Egg, which is blue. We have Mint Oreo, which Blue Bell doesn't make."
Kyle Smith says he grew up on Henry's, and understands why they're so busy. "That doesn't surprise me at all. It's the first place we think of when we want to come get ice cream. It's delicious and it's homemade."
Gentry wishes Blue Bell well, but hopes he can keep a few of their customers. "They are tasting my ice cream, so if they love it, it'll be their decision if they want to stay with Henry's Ice Cream or Blue Bell."
Gentry starts his day extra early now, at 3:30 a.m. His work day is longer now, but you won't hear him complain about the business, just perhaps a different kind of brain freeze.
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