Three Generations of CT Family Make America's Best Ice Cream

NEWTOWN, CT --- The Ferris Acres Creamery in Newtown has been named to the list of the 31 best ice cream shops in the U.S., as determined by Thrillist.

In it's confectionery analysis, the website cited the "vitally important work of delivering flavors like the s'mores-style campfire and PB-banana Elvis' Dream to an increasingly ice cream hungry local following." The review-centric website, best known for its "Best Of's," also counted the deep roots the family-owned business had in Newtown in the shop's favor.

In fact, the Ferris farm's lineage is as old as the town. William David Baldwin Ferris, who bought the land in 1864, was a descendant of the first Ferris to arrive in Newtown around 1703. Every generation since has had at least one Ferris in the farming business.

William's son, Charles D. Ferris, Sr. grew apples and raised beef. The farm began its shift to dairy specialization and ice cream world domination in the 1930's under Charles D. Ferris, Jr. In the 1950's, Charles D. Ferris III began the splurging on quality processes for which the creamery is now famous: he purchased registered Holstein cows to upgrade the herd. At around that point, operating the farm became a three-generation job.

The "LLC" got pinned to the tail of the family venture in 1996, when Charles D. Ferris IV and his siblings Brendan and Colleen joined their father in the farming business. It was their mom, Shirley, the wife of III, who had the idea to make ice cream, which began in 2003. In that same year, IV's wife and marketing expert Terry became the creamery's GM and began off-site sales.

That particular side gig took off like a rocket.

"We will continue to sell our ice cream to restaurants, we are adding more weddings, and other catering events, and are supplying more small retail businesses with our ice cream," Terry told The Patch. "A few of our current retail customers are Shortt's Farm in Sandy Hook, Roxbury Market, and Villarina's Pasta in Newtown, Southbury and New Milford."

Of course, as convenient as off-site sales may be for the out-of-towners, true native Newtown Ferris Creamery aficionados (and they are legion) know it's not quite the same as grabbing a freshly scooped cone from the farmstand.

"The farm's original stone walls, the green pastures, the cattle grazing -- all help create a relaxed atmosphere for our customers," Terry reminded us. "At various times during the year, customers can watch farm activity, such as hay being baled in the fields across from the Creamery."

It's still a three-generation venture, however. Shirley and Charles III stay focused on the farm. Brendan and Charles IV oversee the ice cream operations, assisted by their sister Colleen in the busy summer months (The rest of the year she is a teacher at Newtown High School). Emily, Colleen's daughter, is chief cake decorator, and also helps to maintain the soft serve machine. Cole, Brendan's son, and Chad, Charlie's son, assist with ice cream making. Michelle, Brendan's wife, is responsible for inventory, maintains the soft serve machine and assists with the ice cream production and staff.

And it' still a quality operation, maintained in part by the creamery's practice of making the ice cream fresh daily, in small batches.

The most poular of those batches?

"Vanilla continues to be our top seller," Terry said. "Followed closely by Cow Trax and Route 302 Chocolate Moo. We try and add 3 or 4 new flavors every year, and are always thrilled with how well the new flavors are received by our loyal customers."

Terry's own favorite flavor is a delicacy called Bad Attitude, "a rich chocolate ice cream with a salty caramel swirl."

Ferris Acres Creamery, located at 144 Sugar Street in Newtown, is now keeping summer hours. They are open every day at 11:30 a.m., and close 9:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 10:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Photos Provided by Ferris Acres Creamery