Ben & Jerry's Moves Braintree Opening Date Back

The Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream shop slated to move into South Shore Place this summer will likely open by the end of August.

Franchisee Stephen Marcus, who also operates a Ben & Jerry's in Natick, said he had originally hoped to open in June and then by the end of July, but that the process of permitting and financing proved somewhat more challenging than he anticipated.

The shop received a food permit from the Board of License Commissioners last month that allows for outdoor seating. It was one of the final pieces, along with a request before the Planning Board for additional signage, before construction could begin.

"The puzzle is really coming together," Marcus said.

Construction will likely start within a week or two. 

The store will seat 23 inside and 16 outside at four tables April 1 through November 1 at South Shore Place, the retail and restaurant complex next to Hyatt Place. It will employ about 20 people.

Ben & Jerry's joins other stores such as Jared the Galleria of Jewelry, Starbucks, Five Guys Burgers and Fries and the Vitamin Shoppe on Forbes Road. Legal Seafoods is also scheduled to move from the South Shore Plaza across the street to South Shore Place.

Marcus, with a background in management and a graduate degree from MIT, took over his first Ben & Jerry's in Natick two years ago.