Gainesville's Benson's Baskin Robbins Ice Cream Carries on Family Tradition

Continues to make memories with its 31+ flavors specialty cakes

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Many fondly remember having ice cream at Baskin Robbins. Today, families are making new fond memories at Baskin Robbins on Heathcote Boulevard in Gainesville where the magic of ice cream is alive and well since 2017.

Mary Benson Alphs is a successful international businesswoman in the field of education. For the second phase of her career, she decided to open a small business as a way to give back. Being a mom and wanting to serve families, ice cream just made sense. And she loves ice cream. “I’m an ice cream connoisseur,” she said.

The business of ice cream runs in the family. Mary’s father owned an ice cream parlor with his brothers before they went to fight in World War II. The ice cream shop is a tribute to them, she said.

“It is 'Benson’s Ice Cream’ at Baskin Robbins,” said Mary, and she treats it as an extension of her dad’s legacy.

Mary is not the only one sentimental about ice cream. People remember Baskin Robbins from their childhoods and its variety of memorable flavors.

Baskin Robbins is known for having 31 flavors, one for every day of the month. Benson’s counter has 32 spots to offer even more choices. “The hardest thing is making sure you have everybody’s ice cream,” she said. “People are crazy about their long-time, decades-old flavors.”

The shop connects with so many people who have positive memories of Baskin Robbins from their past, Mary explained.

“It’s nostalgic. So many people come in and they have stories about their childhood. Sometimes people jump up and down in the store.”

Mary said there was even a very pregnant woman who could no longer drive, so she took a taxi to Baskin Robbin to enjoy the ice cream cone she had been craving.

Mary is confident her ice cream lives up to the hype and wants people to savor the experience. “I know when you touch that pink spoon on the door your day is getting better.”

Baskin Robbins has premium ice cream everyone loves due to the right amount of flavor and creaminess. Like many of her customers, her favorite is chocolate chip. She loves the flecks of dark chocolate with a subtle sweetness. "It's a refreshing treat, unlike other chocolate chip ice cream." 

Classics like strawberry and mint-chocolate chip are always on hand, as well as sprinkles, chocolate syrup and whip cream, cones, and waffle bowls. Baskin Robbins is a great place to stop by to get a cone or a cup, but it is so much more.

Baskin Robbins offers a variety of ice cream cakes. Popular flavors include vanilla chocolate with chocolate crunch and ice cream cake on top of flour cake. 

Additionally, Baskin Robbins always offers a number of fanciful seasonal cakes. For Mother's Day you can find "Perfect Peony Cake, Flower Garden, Floral Cone Bouquet, Elegant Rosetta, Amazing Mom and more!  Baskin Robbins has a wide selection of graduation cakes as well. 

Customers can order and design their cakes in advance. Baskin Robbins offers popular animated character themes, shapes and sizes.

Benson’s Baskin Robbins also hosts parties and caters. The catering is perfect for parties at fun venues that do not serve food. A Baskin Robbin employee will come and serve the cake to the guests.

Or people can take the party to Baskin Robbins’ party room. It is popular for children’s parties and also makes a great space for an intimate baby shower, networking event or small business meeting. And hosts can bring in their own entertainment.

The party room also allows for Baskin Robbins to host special event nights. Santa has come to visit. Benson’s has held theme nights, such as paint nights or children’s sing-alongs. It makes going for ice cream even more of a special treat.

I you haven’t experienced the magic at Baskin Robbins in Gainesville, Mary invites you to come in and feel like a child again.

Baskin Robbins Gainesville is located at 13801 Heathcote Boulevard, its phone number is (571) 284-7238, Their hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on Fridays. 

Keep up with their featured cakes, and flavors on the Baskin Robbins Gainesville website. Follow Baskin Robbins Gainesville on Facebook to hear about new events and promotions. 

 

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