Gofer Ice Cream aims to bring ‘more smiles’ with Westport shop
Original article by Sep. 1, 2022
WESTPORT — There’s a new place to go for ice cream in Westport, and it’s appropriately named Gofer Ice Cream.
Gofer Ice Cream is no stranger to Connecticut, specifically Fairfield County. CEO and Founder Jay Ragusa opened its first location in Greenwich in 2003. It’s since expanded throughout Fairfield County, with eight locations listed on the website including Darien, Ridgefield, Stamford and Wilton.
“Westport was one of the final pieces of the Gold Coast of Fairfield County,” Ragusa said.Hasni Waheed, franchisee for the Westport location at 1240 Post Road East, said people love the product and have been welcoming since its opening on Aug. 20.
“Ice cream is a happy product,” Waheed said.
Gofer Ice Cream offers floats, shakes, sundaes, slushies, soft serve, as well as hard, fat-free and plant-based ice cream.
“Our product line is diversified,” Ragusa said. “We try to have something for everybody.”
The plant-based ice cream comes from a company called Eclipse and is made from potatoes, cassava and corn.
Gofer Lite — the fat-free and no sugar added soft serve — is made with skim milk and sweetened with Splenda. One serving is less than 200 calories.
“I think the product and service make much difference,” Waheed said. “That’s what made me like Gofer.”
Gofer Ice Cream won the Best of the Gold Coast’s award for Fairfield County for the past two years , Ragusa said.
Waheed said he was always looking to open an ice cream parlor. He thought that the area would be good to open a business because it is a family-oriented town and he would often pass through it.
“It took a while to get the proper location, but I’m glad we are here,” he said.
Ragusa said that going into the ice cream business was an idea of his since he was a child. Now, he’s looking to continue expanding it across the state, and even possibly Rhode Island, New York and Florida.
Gofer’s opening took longer than expected, according to Waheed. Due to some supply chain issues and other setbacks, it took eight months to officially open. The business is currently looking for employees.
Waheed said he hopes to bring “more smiles” to the community.
“I hope I can provide a better service and a better product in Westport,” he said.
Gofer Ice Cream is open from noon to 10 p.m. daily at the Westport location.