Ben & Jerry's to Arrive in Braintree This Summer

Two locals with diverse backgrounds are bringing Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream to Braintree.

The Board of License Commissioners unanimously approved a food license and outdoor seating for Ben & Jerry's during its Tuesday meeting. 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.

Stephen Marcus, with a background in management and a graduate degree from MIT, took over his first Ben & Jerry's in Natick two years ago. The Wellesley native had been looking for an entrepreneurial opportunity for a decade before jumping into the ice cream business.

Marcus is bringing with him to Braintree Charlotte Rea, who studied theatre at Brandeis University before working for Starbucks for several years. She grew up and lives in Natick. He recruited her to work for him at Ben & Jerry's when he started the shop in 2011 and she will now helm the store in Braintree.

Ben & Jerry's is scheduled to open by the end of July, Marcus said. Along with the brand's famous variety of ice cream flavors, the shop will offer catered ice cream cakes.

Anyone looking for more information on the new Braintree location and its catering services is encouraged to contact Marcus at 508-650-5400. You can also go to the Natick store's website: http://scoopshops.benjerry.com/scoopshops/natick/default.aspx