Last night we went out for a end-of-potty-training celebration ice cream at Ben & Jerry’s.  The kids each sampled some flavors and we got two kid cones for $6 something.  More expensive than Baskin-Robbins, but a much more interesting store and, well, an employee who throws cookies to customers, talks like Donald Duck, and is overall a funny and sweet man.

T enjoying his cone

First, the store.  This place has a piano and guitar available for customers to play.  The sign requests actually playing ability, and warms that young children are not allowed to bang on the piano….and my favorite:

“Out of control children will be given lots of extra sugar and a puppy”

Besides the instruments they have checkers, Jenga, Scrabble, sheets of paper and crayons, and a foosball table.  So you could actually turn a trip out to get ice cream into a mini family game/art night.  I’m guessing it gets quite busy later on with the movie theater, but we were out at a young-kid-friendly hour so it was pretty tame.

Next thing we know an employee behind the counter shouts: “Heads up Daddy-O” and starts tossing little chocolate chip cookies at my husband.  We told him we were out celebrating B learning to use the potty, and next thing we know he’s talking like Donald Duck and says: “Wow, that’s great.  I’ll be back in a minute,” and returns with a helium balloon and paper hats.

B reacting to his balloon

Each family member got a hat, in a different way.  T was given his traditional style…my husband wore his like a “pirate” and I was presented with a hat in the “oo-la-la” style (said in the Donald Duck voice).

me, in my “oo-la-la” hat

I was also given a “Very Important Taster” key-ring card which will get me 10% off all subsequent purchases (ask for one!) and they told me to register (they have a PC there available for this) for their “Chunk Mail” and then I’d get an email where I could enter my kid’s b-days and get something for them.  I did and have not seen anything yet…so I’ll update this if that changes.  You can also sign up for ChunkMail and get a coupon for a free single scoop (with more offers to follow).  Also watch the Valpack mailer for coupons.

We had such a great time at Ben & Jerry’s…we will definitely be back!!

Ben & Jerry’s
5007 Black Rd
Memphis, TN 38117
(901) 767-3178