Brooker's Founding Flavors Ice Cream In Utah Is Rewriting History One Scoop At A Time
By Sarah McCosham|Published June 01, 2023
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Sarah McCosham
Author
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
There’s little more all-American than a bowl of ice cream. (Except, perhaps, a slice of apple pie *and* a bowl of ice cream, but I digress.) Cold and creamy, whether you prefer your scoop in a bowl or cone, ice cream is more than a mere dessert — it’s an experience. A blissful, sticky-sweet experience. And nowhere is this more true than Brooker’s Founding Flavors Ice Cream. In Utah, Brooker’s Founding Flavors Ice Cream has perfected this delicious dessert, embraced its status as an American icon, and created a wholly unique and delightful experience for customers. Because when you visit Brooker’s Ice Cream, you not only get a sublime scoop (or two) of the sweet stuff — you also get a delightful lesson in American history.
Interested to learn about other unique American small businesses? Our Small Business Spotlight series highlights the often-overlooked work of small business owners across the country, from Maine to Southern California.
Four score and seven years ago, an ice cream shop opened in Utah.
Okay, it wasn't four score and seven years ago that Brooker’s Founding Flavors Ice Cream first opened its doors in Vineyard, Utah -- but the story of how this family-owned ice cream shop came to be is certainly one for the books.
In December 2018, at the beginning of the coldest season of the year in Utah, Brian and Jamie Brooker opened their flagship Brooker’s Founding Flavors Ice Cream Parlor in the town of Vineyard, Utah.
While the idea to open an ice cream shop during Utah's notoriously cold and snowy winter season might sound crazy to some, the Brookers, just like our founding fathers, bravely forged ahead.
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Brian, a history buff and ice cream enthusiast, had done his homework before launching into business ownership, spending a decade studying ice cream at universities across the country and under the tutelage of ice cream industry leaders.
He grew up in Virginia -- "in the backyard of the Founding Fathers" -- and this early exposure ignited a lifelong love for all things history, he says. A love almost as strong as his passion for ice cream!
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But it wasn't just researching ice cream -- it was coming up with a concept. There are tons of ice cream shops across the country. It's one of the most popular desserts in America, and you'll find dozens of places to get a scoop in pretty much every small town and big city across the U.S. But you won't find anything like Brooker’s.
Think "themed restaurant" but as an ice cream shop. Throw in a living history lesson and a wonderfully whimsical atmosphere. Throw a few Tricorner hats and (fake) hangers in the mix. And then put all of this in an old-fashioned ice cream parlor. This is Brooker’s Founding Flavors Ice Cream. It's wholly, wonderfully weird -- but also wholly, wonderfully delightful.
Back to our story: after a decade of studying the industry, the science of ice cream, and many global varieties of the sweet dessert, Brian and Jamie were ready to jump in. And the research paid off: Brooker's ice cream was delicious and the concept was genius.
In terms of the product, it's "super premium" and super delicious. Using the freshest and highest quality ingredients is key; Brooker's sources from Utah farms, and all of the cream and milk is free of artificial growth hormones and antibiotics. In addition, Brooker's makes their ice cream with the highest levels of creaminess (butterfat), lowest air content, and highest quality of ingredients.
The experience is equally important, however. At Brooker's, employees dress in authentic period clothing from the Colonial 1776 period and the ice cream flavors carry the names of important Founding Fathers (and mothers) of the country.
And the experience doesn't stop here... staff are versed in the history of each menu item's namesake; pick your flavor and you'll get a bit of history on the person for which it's named.
Perusing the menu is a bit like being back in high school history class -- but much tastier: George Washington's Indispensable Flavor, Thomas Jefferson's Declaration of Cookie Dough, Molly Pitcher's Strawberry Cannonier... the gang's all here!
For those with allergies and food sensitivities, there are dairy-free options available, too. Dairy-free and delicious, Give Me Chocolate or Give Me Death was inspired by the ice cream founders' daughter, who, at age 14, was put on a dairy-free diet.
Just like the US of A, the story of Brooker's Founding Flavors Ice Cream isn't buried in the past; it's (ahem) being written to this day.
Founders Brian and Jamie are getting ready to open two more ice cream shops in the months ahead, adding to their three very popular Utah locations. It's "an exciting time," says Jamie, and we can't wait to see how this Utah business's story continues to unfold!
Many thanks to Brooker’s Founding Flavors Ice Cream for sharing the story of this inspiring small business in Utah. Learn more about Brooker’s at its website, Facebook, and Instagram pages.
Of course, Brooker’s Founding Flavors Ice Cream is just one of the many wonderful small businesses in the great state of Utah; please nominate your favorite attractions and businesses for a chance to be featured in an upcoming Only In Utah article. And be sure to follow Only In Utah on Facebook and Instagram to learn about this region of the Beehive State’s most incredible places, attractions, and events.
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