In Psychology Today, Dr. Steve Albrecht says that for his money, “ice cream wins the prize as the snack food that brings the most joy. Feeling blue? Go to your local ice cream shop and get a scoop.”
The feeling of delivering joy through fun and delicious ice cream and other treats is what drives Violets & Cream, originally opened as “Ganjes” in 2019 in downtown Jacksonville. The ice cream and treat shop has recently changed its name and identity to align both with the store owners’ passions and the city of Jacksonville’s aesthetics.
The result is “Violets & Cream,” a name that signifies the elegance, rich flavors, and nostalgia that owner Laura Smith and son Sage Stoker wanted in their downtown shop.
“’Ganjes’ was a name I had envisioned over 20 years ago. So, when we finally opened, we kept the name,” she says. “But as we’ve grown and gained a better sense of our core product line, recognized what customers are drawn to, and gotten to know and love the town more and more, “Violets & Cream” felt so much more in line with who we are.”
Laura and Sage chose the name “violet” because of the light and fragrant flavor and appealing color, and “cream” to encompass things that taste rich and sweet. They felt the new name combination is better associated with the quaint and unique qualities of Jacksonville.
Though the look and name have changed, customers can still expect the same outstanding, personal customer service “the old-fashioned way.” The store features 28 flavors of hand-scooped ice cream, just as many flavors of shakes, malts, sundaes, and floats, plus vintage and international candies, chocolates, and sweets, “both from your childhood and from throughout the world,” says Laura. To quench your thirst, try out their extensive selection of retro and craft sodas.
The shop also features fine linen bedding, soaps, sprays, candles, specialty bath bombs, and home décor.
Looking ahead, the shop is working with its small batch ice cream maker to develop a signature “Violets & Cream” ice cream.
So, like Dr. Albrecht advises, if you want to add some joy to your day, come get a scoop at Violets & Cream.
Violets & Cream is located at 150 S. Oregon Street, below La Fiesta Restaurant. Find them online at www.violetsandcream.com.