Memories of ice cream and sprinkles at Jersey Freeze
The news that Jersey Freeze must be torn down to make way for an Olive Garden draws a sickening, knot-in-mystomach type of feeling.

We're talking about a staple of the Freehold area. We're talking about a place that has defied generations of "corporatocracy" and thrived on a healthy diet of loyalty and ice cream enthusiasts. We're talking about the ice cream that was featured on the Food Network. Even The Boss himself approves!

Some fond childhood memories come to mind: Huge soft ice cream cones so entirely covered by sprinkles that you couldn't tell what flavor it was; or that water fountain whose water was always somehow colder than the ice cream you just ate. You Jersey Freezers know what I'm talking about.

Olive Garden needs the space for zoning purposes, so they can acquire a liquor license and can be seen from the highway. Forgive me, but I fail to see why that gives Freehold Borough the right to simply stand by and allow a seemingly thriving and beloved business to be completely uprooted.

Bruce Blackmore, owner of Jersey Freeze, says he'd like to open up a new location. I, for one, will be there for its grand opening.

Steve Reiter

Manalapan