Fate almost conspired against Hoffman?s Ice Cream and its legion of fans before the Westminster staple first opened its doors in 1947.
“My grandfather Jesse Hoffman had to rebuild the whole building because a kerosene heater burnt the place down,” said Jeff Hoffman, who, along with his sisters Lori Shamer and Linda Crabbs, continues to grow the family business after 59 years.
Hoffman?s was rebuilt after the fire, and it has remained in the same location with only minor modifications through the decades. All the ice cream is still made onsite in two batch freezers, with summer sales sometimes exceeding 1,400 gallons per week, said Hoffman.
“Basically everything remains the same, and that adds to the experience. Customers who came in when they were 6 now come in with their children, and besides the great ice cream, the nostalgia keeps bringing them back,” said seven-year-veteran employee Sharon Lang.
To accommodate a growing population and create a more robust long-term business model, Hoffman?s added a convenience store in the 1960s and inserted a new deli into the existing space in 2001 to draw nearby office and hospital workers.
Though small, Hoffman?s stays competitive by carefully allotting its advertising dollars and by being a member of larger organizations. During its peak summer season, Hoffman?s advertises on Westminster?s WTTR radio station during its broadcast of Baltimore Orioles games.
Last year, as a member of the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce, Hoffman?s was able to join a coop with other businesses to freeze its electricity rates, while membership in the National Ice Cream Retailers Association keeps the store informed about the latest trends in the market, said Hoffman.
Despite the deli?s growing popularity, Hoffman said sales of ice cream still account for 65 percent of the business.
“It’s simply the best ice cream ever,” said Jean Bagli, who along with her husband, Vince, makes a point to stop in whenever they are in the area, despite always having trouble picking which of the up to 50 flavors to purchase.
To thank residents for patronizing the store for decades, Hoffman?s makes a practice of giving back to the community by regularly supplying ice cream at reduced cost for local church and school functions.
Hoffman?s Ice Cream
» 934 Washington Road, Westminster
» 410-857-0824
» Hours: Ice cream shop, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.; deli and convenience store, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
» Staff: 5 full-time/25 part-time employees
