Township resident, 25, is owner of Cold Stone Creamery franchise in Mercer Mall.
By: Jennifer Potash
Lauren Millner never imagined that an impromptu visit to an ice cream shop on Times Square in New York City would lead her to open a Cold Stone Creamery franchise in the Mercer Mall.
"Never in my wildest dreams," said Ms. Millner during an interview at the ice cream shop on April 1.
The 25-year-old Lawrence resident cut the ribbon on the new sweet shop on Saturday in a grand-opening celebration that featured Miss America 2005 Deirdre Downs scooping ice cream and visits by local politicians.
A graduate of Drew University, Ms. Millner was working in New York as an events coordinator when she saw a long line of customers from a Cold Stone Creamery store curving down the sidewalk.
It was love at first bite, Ms. Millner said about sampling a cone of cake batter ice cream. Ms. Millner said her sister, who lives in California, had extolled the merits of the Arizona-based ice cream chain, which has 900 franchises in the United States. Prior to Ms. Millner’s visit to the New York City store, she never had the opportunity to do her own taste test, she said.
In addition to ice cream, Cold Stone Creamery offers freshly baked goodies such as brownies and cookies and ice cream cakes and custom desserts, Ms. Millner said.
Once Ms. Millner decided she would be a small-business owner, she recalled her experience at the New York City Cold Stone Creamery and not solely for the ice cream.
She was impressed by the company’s philanthropic attitude the franchise owners are encouraged to donate to local charities and the entertaining environment in the stores, where staff can be found singing for tips.
"I loved the fun-filled environment and the company’s commitment to giving back to the community," Ms. Millner said.
Ms. Millner donated a portion of her opening-day profits to PEI Kids, a Lawrence-based nonprofit organization that seeks to prevent childhood violence. And all participants in the township’s Little League baseball teams received coupons for a free ice cream cone, she said.
"I love that I can give something back to the community," Ms. Millner said.
Ms. Downs’ visit to Cold Stone Creamery was part of her nationwide tour to draw attention to the need for pediatric cancer research, Ms. Millner said.
Ms. Downs, of Alabama, will attend medical school later this year.
Ms. Millner said she is thrilled to locate her business at the Mercer Mall, which has undergone major changes in the past several years including more clothing and accessory shops and a ShopRite supermarket.
The Mercer Mall location was a perfect fit for her franchise, Ms. Millner said.
She grew up in Yardley, Pa. and was very familiar with the Lawrence and often visited Terhune Orchards. Ms. Millner’s mother, Jane, works at St. Lawrence Rehabilitation Center.
The mall is seeking to attract more shoppers between the ages 18 to 35 and especially women, Ms. Millner said.
"And that’s a key demographic for us as well," she said.
The small plaza and benches offer near the store offer another amenity for all her customers, Ms. Millner said.
"It’s a perfect place to enjoy ice cream on a hot summer day," Ms. Millner said.

