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IN THE BIZ
JOHNNY B GOODE CELEBRATES 25 YEARS BY DEBORAH WORCHEL
Jane Davis with her grandson Dale and husband John at Johnny B Goode. Opposite page: a Johnny B Goode sundae, dusk at the ice cream parlor. Photos by Avery Schuyler and Jane Davis.
I
JUST love people,” declares Jane Davis, owner and operator of Johnny B Goode Ice Cream Parlor. “The more the merrier is what I
say!” As Johnny B Goode heads into its 25th season serving up ice cream and family fun at both its original 14th and Asbury location as well as the “newer” location at 34th Street, it is easy to see how Jane’s love of people is reciprocal; kids who grew up enjoying her ice cream on summer vacation have grown into parents bringing their children to Johnny B Goode to make more irreplaceable summer memories. Nothing could make Jane happier than to think of new generations enjoying the atmosphere she has worked so hard to create. “I just love being around kids,” she said. “I have 17 grand kids and I couldn’t ask for a better job. My job is simply this: I make children happy.” Clearly owning an ice cream shop is a big step in the right
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direction to making children happy, but just serving up ice cream wasn’t enough for Jane. Her vision was greater. Prior to opening Johnny B Goode, Jane lived in Colorado and worked in corporate America. While on a ski weekend, she met John, who would eventually become her husband. John lived in New Jersey, so Jane moved here from Colorado to be with him. John’s work schedule was heavier in the summer, and as they talked about what kinds of things Jane might do for work, they agreed it would be ideal if she too could have a less hectic schedule during the winter to allow for family time. “We were sitting on the beach, thinking about what I might do and I remarked that I had always wanted to have an ice cream parlor, but it needed to be more than just an ice cream shop," said Jane. "As we sat there, the song Johnny B Goode came on the radio and I said ‘That’s it! It’s perfect!’ and the concept for the shop was born.” They found a viable location, and Johnny
B Goode opened at 14th and Asbury in 1994. Originally, the space was relatively small. “I realized that it just wasn’t big enough to support the volume of business we were doing. That volume surprised me a little, but it was a good surprise,” she said. “In business you always have to have a plan. You have to be prepared for failure, have the resources to hang in there, but also be prepared for success and have a plan to deal with success too.” Her plan to deal with success became a major overhaul of the physical building in 2003 when she tore down the original building and rebuilt the structure that occupies the space now. Today the location at 14th and Asbury is impossible to miss. The brightly colored storefront, the prominent Johnny B Goode sign, and the outdoor tables all beg those passing by either on foot or by car to stop in for a treat. It is one of those places where you can just tell that you will be able to find a classic style sundae, milkshake, or float made just the way they ought to be. “I am always amazed by how much hasn’t changed in the ice cream business. Probably 20 of 24 flavors are still the same flavors we have always offered, and they are the consistent favorites,” Jane said. Of course, the menu offerings reflect today’s popular trends as well, so if you want to enjoy a fruit smoothie (with or without protein powder) while your children eat their ice cream, you can find something to please. Perhaps the thing that sets Johnny B Goode apart, however, is the family entertainment throughout the summer at both locations. Even from the outset, creating a fun family atmosphere was a top priority for Jane. Entertainment runs Monday, Wednesday, Friday at the 14th Street location and Tuesday, Thursday at the 34th Street spot. Karaoke, dancing at a family sock hop, or comedy and magic offerings create a family friendly atmosphere and offer an affordable evening
