Six years ago Kari and Steve Conner were researching what kind of business they should start. They wanted something fun where the customers would be happy, a place where their family would like to work, and a business that would help them give back to their community.  The answer came to Steve in the middle of the night–Ben and Jerry’s ice cream!  He got out of Ben and Jerry’s

Scoop Shop bed, went to the computer and found the website.  Over the next few days they learned that there wasn’t a Ben and Jerry’s Scoop Shop between Seattle and Minneapolis, that the Eastern Washington territory was available, that Ben and Jerry’s would LOVE to have a location in Spokane and that the timing was perfect!

When they found that an affordable prime space was available in the region’s premier shopping center, River Park Square in downtown Spokane, Ben and Jerry’s Scoop Shop was born.  Kari and Steve went to school at Ben and Jerry’s “Scoop U” to learn the business and opened up their ice cream shop.  Now, six years and more than a million scoops later, Ben and Jerry’s Scoop Shop in River Park Square has become a destination spot for people to meet and eat ice cream.   

With 36 ice cream flavors to choose from, plus yogurt, sorbet and ice cream cakes, there’s something for every taste.  Another favorite is their all fruit smoothies with little or no fat.  Over the years, the Conners have branched out from their River Park Square location, offering their Ben and Jerry’s ice cream at Gonzaga’s McCarthey Center during basketball season, Valleyfest, Hoopfest and Pig Out in the Park.  The family is happy as well; two of the Conners’ three children work regularly at the shop as members of a 10-person team.
Ben and Jerry’s has also developed a strong catering business, bringing ice cream products to the workplace.  They recently served 2,200 scoops to the employees of Sacred Heart Medical Center, and set a company record–1,600 scoops in a two hour period!   They’ve served their ice cream at many other businesses and even at golf courses for tournaments.  Their birthday and specialty ice cream cake business is brisk as well, with Ben and Jerry’s a welcome feature at parties and celebrations.

The business has enabled the Conners to give back to their community too and make people happy. Every month they put on a birthday party for the children living in the Anna Ogden Hall shelter.  Since opening their shop, the Conners have put on an annual free cone day giving away ice cream for donations all day long with celebrity scoopers. The proceeds have benefitted Wishing Star Foundation and this year Dave, Ken and Molly’s Christmas Wish. The Conners feel that serving the needs of the community is the best part of their business.  

Ed Clark is the owner of The Clark Company, a Spokane-based advertising, public relations and media business serving a wide variety of retail, commercial, industrial, hospitality and entertainment clients throughout the Western U.S.  He also produces the radio and e-newsletter “How’s Business Report” as well as the “Entertainment Spokane” television and e-newsletter report.”  He can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , on facebook or
509-838-4080.