Gofer Ice Cream—March 6, 2024
Credit: Michael Dinan
Phil and Mina Luongo have been frequenting Gofer Ice Cream with their kids for years.
The Norwalk residents’ kids attend Strawberry Hill School in Stamford, and on the way home they regularly hit the Gofer on High Ridge Road.
An accountant by trade, Phil Luongo in December 2022 spotted a sign inside at one point about becoming a franchise owner.
“I said to my wife, ‘We always wanted to open our own business, what about Gofer Ice Cream?’ ” he recalled.
They signed up with the parent company to become franchisees a few months later and learned about an opportunity in New Canaan, where an owner was stepping away from ice cream shop at 103 Main St.—for decades the Baskin Robbins, which closed in December 2019.
The Luongos became owners Jan. 1 and are slated to reopen at 12:30 p.m. Friday following an extensive interior renovation.
“I’m a little nervous but more excited than anything else,” Phil Luongo said. “You know why? Because every time I’m out front doing something out there, if I’m sweeping outside or anything, people are asking, ‘When will you open it?’ So they’re excited too.”
The refresh encompasses what Phil Luongo calls a “facelift” and modernization, including new digital menu and promo boards, brighter LED lighting, a new color scheme and signage and a larger Gofer Ice Cream inside.
Gofer founder Jay Ragusa said the upgrades, including new seating and tile, is the latest look for the ice cream shop.
“We are also rolling out our expanded plant based hard and soft serve flavors to New Canaan,” he said. “Most importantly, it will remain clean and well maintained as it will be operated by detail-oriented owners that are highly motivated to improve the experience. We hope New Canaan residents will continue to support us and give Gofer another look.”
The refreshed Gofer joins a field of local frozen treat shops that includes Swirl froyo on Cherry Street, Gelatissimo on Forest Street and Van Leeuwen Ice Cream on Elm Street.
Gofer is keeping much of its staff, Phil Luongo said.
“Come back to Gofer,” he said when asked about his message to the community. “Same quality product with a new look.”
Asked about his long-term plans for the store, Phil Luongo said he hopes to build up the business to a point where he can leave his existing field and perhaps even open a second store.
“I’m glad that we finally get to open,” he said. “It took a little longer than we thought, but I want the community to come back in and enjoy themselves in this ‘new’ Gofer Ice Cream that we’re presenting to them.”
Gofer Ice Cream at 103 Main St. is open 12:30 to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 12:30 to 10:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday.