×

Whit’s Frozen Custard looks to open in April

MARIETTA – Since 2003, Whit’s Frozen Custard has been offering up the creamy, sweet treat in various locations across the state, and Marietta is the newest location set to open soon.

The newest franchise will open in the first part of April at Second and Scammel streets, in what used to be a gasoline station.

Local franchise owner Bernita Freimann has enjoyed frozen custard for many years, and said she is excited to bring the treat to town.

“I fell in love with Whit’s when we first moved to Granville,” said Freimann. “It started maybe a year ago; that was my first conversation with Lisa (Whitman) about opening. She laughed at first and said, ‘You’re crazy,’ but she thought Marietta would be a great place.”

Lisa Whitman, owner of Whit’s with husband Chuck, said Marietta will be the 25th location for the franchise that started with one store in Granville, which opened on March 3, 2003.

“Nobody knew what frozen custard was,” Whitman said. “We had six locations (nearby) selling ice cream. It was a big risk for us to (open).”

The name ‘Whit’s,’ a shortened form of Whitman, stuck, and Whitman used her background from working at Dairy Queen and combined that with her husband’s knowledge of food distribution to open Whit’s.

The risk of opening paid off; since 2003 Whit’s has spread to 25 locations, some of which are in North Carolina and even Florida.

For those who don’t know the difference, Whitman said frozen custard has a different taste than plain ice cream.

“The biggest difference is that it’s made fresh and served fresh,” said Whitman.

It’s also much denser than ice cream.

“There’s less air in frozen custard than there is in ice cream,” she added. “If you hold a quart of Whit’s and a quart of Breyer’s it’s going to be denser and heavier. It’s a richer taste.”

Whit’s also uses its own recipe for the custard, which includes cream and pasteurized eggs, and is made by a custard machine, not a soft-serve ice cream machine.

The business is growing and shows no signs of slowing.

“It’s fun,” she said. “We’re continuing to expand and we’re very happy about that; we’re still small but we’re growing.”

Work inside the local shop includes brand new equipment, new windows, entirely new electric and new plumbing.

Freimann said the location is an ideal spot for the shop.

“I love history and I love historical buildings,” she said. “The blue roof is beautiful as is the brick; I wanted to see it preserved. I think (the business will) do well in the area, especially downtown, there are so many (avenues) of traffic; the River Trial, residential area. Also the college is somewhere I’d like to draw business from.”

In addition to delicious custard, Freimann said to expect coffee, pastries and some simple sandwiches. Tentative hours will be 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the summer, with the shop closing earlier in cooler months.

Applications will soon be taken at whitsmarietta@yahoo.com.

Seating will include bar seating, with some low tables and a large patio outside.

“We want to have it be an informal, comfortable atmosphere and draw the community together,” said Freimann.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today