Fast-growing CT ice cream shop offers design-your-flavor classes. Debriefing comes with a

One of the state’s fastest expanding ice cream shops is offering an experience that goes beyond the yummy taste of their small batch premium ice cream.

At Frisbie’s Dairy Barn in New Britain, people can make their own flavor, take home a gallon and “debrief” with a sundae after class, said one of the owners, Paul Parks.

“It’s such a cool experience,” Parks said of the create-your-own experience. “I love being able to create special memories.”

Online reviewers of the make-your-own experience had nothing but raves, with one woman writing, “Took the ice cream making class for a second time and it was so much fun. You get to mix your own flavors, learn about ice cream, and take home a gallon of your work. 10/10 would recommend. Such a unique experience right here in our Connecticut backyard.”

Another wrote of the make your own ice cream experience: “My husband and I had such a fun time making our own flavors.  We came home with Biscoff coconut almond and peanut butter brownie flavors that we love! Quality ice cream and amazing people! We’ll be back!”

The shop, formerly the site of Guida’s Dairy Bar opened as Frisbie’s Dairy Farm in 2019 as part of the Noble gas station project. Parks ran it that first year as a college intern and purchased the business in 2020 along with his father. Since then, business partners Victoria
Parks, his sister and Kendra Walker, his “best friend” have joined in ownership.

The brand is expanding while maintaining its focus on handcrafted
quality and memorable customer experiences, Parks said.

Since New Britain they have opened in Windsor, Massachusetts in both Sturbridge and North Attleboro, will open in West Hartford’s Blue Back Square May 9, in East Lyme at the end of May and next year plan to open in Orange on Marsh Hill Road as part of a new Noble gas station project.

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Parks got the idea for a Make Your Own Ice Cream Experience in the 2024 season, but wasn’t sure how it would be executed with space limitations.

Finally, last year he launched the program, not knowing how it would be done. He originally planned to cut the program back in the busy ice cream season, but the classes became so popular he had to keep it going. So the experiences continue this summer.

Parks, an experienced martial arts teacher,  teaches the class in the kitchen of their New Britain store and it has become popular as birthday parties for adults and children, as well as groups and individuals, depending on availability.

For the make your own, the students start with a base and add whatever flavor, swirl, topping, sprinkles or candy or baked good if they want from home. They get to take the gallon home and then a Sundae on the house as they ask questions.

Students have had some good ideas, so much that Frisbie’s has added to their flavor profiles, including hot honey, Parks said.

“Adults loved it. They would say it was such a fun birthday party. For an adult it’s a change of pace, it’s collaborative because they can do it with friends and there’s creativity involved,” Parks said. “For kids it’s something different. Many kids have culinary interests.”

While birthday parties are popular, the classes don’t need to be a special occasion or group experience, The average cost is $75 per person and reservations and more information can be found on the website.

Parks, a business management graduate of Nichols College in Massachusetts, said the New Britain shop is located just down the road from Central Connecticut State University.

He said the ice cream shop came about while developer Michael Frisbie was developing the Noble gas station. Parks said former Mayor Erin Stewart insisted an ice cream place be part of approval because Guida’s had been there so long. Parks said some people in the community still refer to the spot as Guida’s.

Parks said of the ice cream business, “I wound up falling in love with the people. And the staffing.”

Parks said he also loves the sense of community associated with the business.

“It’s very cool how people make it their spot in the community,” he said

One of the reasons the ice cream business is popular is because, “everybody loves it,” he said.

“There is a lot of joy in it,” Parks said.

The West Hartford shop will open May 9 at 38 Isham Road, in the heart of Blue Back Square.