Derek Young, finance and accounting senior, said being around his parent’s ice cream stores, Zesto and Chillers, is helping him gain experience for his future.

“The experience that I have learned through a family-owned, local business has been amazing,” Young said. “I’m currently on the financing board of Chillers, and it’s helped give me more business knowledge than my degree has.”

Zesto is an ice cream parlor with two locations nearby on Charlestown Road in New Albany and on Lewis and Clark Parkway in Clarksville.

Young said Zesto has played a role in his life since he was a child.

“I was always popular in elementary school,” Young said. “Every so often I would bring in ice cream for special events, so everyone tried to be in my class.”

Young said Zesto is definitely a New Albany icon.

“There are not a lot of places where people can go interact, be outside, eat and have fun,” he said. “There’s not a lot of social interaction within the community anymore, so it’s a great meeting place.”

Young said Zesto stands out among other ice cream stores with their wide variety of treats and great service.

“We are fast, friendly and clean, but what really makes Zesto so great is that we have a lot of variety that’s delicious,” Young said. “We have hand-dips, soft serve, yogurt, and we serve food. We offer a fast variety. No matter whom you’re with, if they want a dessert, they can come to Zesto and get what they want.”

Young said Zesto has been passed down through his family.

“Zesto used to be a franchise like McDonald’s back in the ’50s,” he said. “My grandparents bought it 62 years ago from a local lady that was ready to retire. My grandparents gave it to my mom when they retired, and, now, my generation is starting to take over.”

Young said Chillers started because he and his brothers wanted to expand the business and take it to the next level.

To do that, we firmly believe that families and owner operators run a business better,” Young said. “The Zesto/Chillers model [customer] comes to the store every day. They’re part of the community, and they know what’s going on. We find that is a much better way to run a business than the investor standpoint.”

Young said individuals can expect more Chillers locations to open soon.

“There are currently some more locations being planned to build next year,” Young said.

By AYSIA HOGLE

Staff

ahogle@umail.iu.edu