The Upside Of Opening An Ice Cream Store In A Pandemic

OSSINING, NY — With the new coronavirus outbreak just starting as they got the go-ahead to sell ice cream at the Ossining waterfront, Laryssa and Stephen Jardine didn't have high expectations for 2020.

First, they assumed they wouldn't be able to open Bigfoot Creamery at all. Then, when village officials reached out to say it would be OK, they thought they'd have a quiet summer. Without the usual summer waterfront events, and with no advertising, they'd start slow and work the kinks out.

"We thought even if it was only a few weeks, we'd get some experience under our belts," she said. "But we're straight into the deep end."

With the benefit of hindsight, her theory is simple: "People are just desperate to get out of the house and cheer themselves up," she said. "It's obvious, because we're slammed."

Around Henry Gourdine Park, where the kiosk is located, and Engel Park to the south, lots of people are walking or just enjoying the view. And a fresh-made frozen treat is an enticement in its own right.

They make their ice cream right there at the waterfront. The ingredients are locally sourced, including dairy from Hudson Valley Fresh, a farm cooperative processor, and fruits and vegetables from farms in the region such as Fable: Farm to Table in Ossining.

Most days, they offer five to six flavors. The customer favorite so far? Carrot cake ice cream — though people are raving about the chocolate, she said.

As well as starting a new business, the Jardines both have full-time jobs in New York City: Stephen in investment banking and Laryssa in the tech industry.

So another upside to the pandemic was that they've been working from home plus avoiding commute time. "Being able to work from home has enabled us to do this," she said. "The other blessing has been having two more hours a day."

Because it's a kiosk, social distancing is built right in. They and the staff of six high-schoolers put cones in a stand and push it to the customer. With payment by card only, cash doesn't even have to change hands.

Bigfoot Creamery is open noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, at 1A Westerly Road.