You know those afternoons when the summer heat seems as if it’s stuck and can’t detach itself from the sky? On these kind of days, it’s imperative to cool off. The cool sensation can come from inserting one’s head into a freezer or diving in a pool. However, there is another option that’s much more favorable and accessible–getting ice cream from JoJo’s in downtown Annapolis. The store is relatively new but in a prime location–smack dab in the middle of Main Street. If you drive from the Eastern Shore to Annapolis, you may have even seen JoJo’s first store in Easton, Maryland. Nonetheless, JoJo’s downtown ranks pretty high on my list for sweet summer treats, and what’s below will explain why it should be high on your list too.
Though the Eastern Shore has known JoJo’s for one year since its opening in June of 2011, Annapolis is new to the brand. I caught up with Chelsea Coombs, manager at JoJo’s in Annapolis to learn more about the incredibly tempting merchandise at JoJo’s and its start.
“We opened our first location in Easton,” Coombs begins, “And we also have one in St. Michaels and at the Queenstown Outlets–it’s like a little hut–and now we just opened this one on June 15.” The grand opening over a month ago began at 10 a.m. and saw plenty of people hungry for the sugary softness only farm fresh dairy can deliver.
Before we get too far ahead into the creamy goodness, let’s learn about the owners. Like many successful, desirable businesses, JoJo’s started with the dream and dedication of two people. Owners Chris Wright and his wife, JoRhea (“JoJo”), came up with the idea of JoJo’s relatively quickly although the knowledge needed to back the company took longer to establish.
“JoRhea is an attorney in Easton,” Coombs begins, “And Chris was going to take after his father who works with State Farm.” The couple combined their smarts and JoRhea’s love of baking to create their brainchild, JoJo’s. “Just about three months after they thought of it, they opened the first JoJo’s,” Coombs remarks. Now, Chris and JoRhea proudly serve Maryland’s sweet tooth out of three locations. And as Coombs laughs, astonished at their success, “We’ve barely been open a year!” JoJo’s success simply goes to show how much people adore sweets, especially if those sweets come in an adorable package, like a cupcake.
The cupcakes can’t completely upstage the ice cream. JoJo’s buys their dairy from a farm in Rising Sun, Maryland, called Kilby Cream. In fact, this little fact is part of what makes JoJo’s so unique. “We’re the only place downtown that has farm fresh cream,” Coombs says. Naturally, the ice cream is ultra-fresh thanks to Kilby Cream Farm. As Coombs says, “From the time it’s in the cow to in our counter is two days.”
Coombs, who has managed all JoJo’s locations, tells me that the company features plenty of flavors everyday but also chooses nine special flavors for each day. In addition, JoJo’s displays three selected cupcakes during the week and on weekends, the chef picks the featured cupcake. During the holidays, JoJo’s creates cupcake packages as well. The packages feature a dozen festive flavors. Holiday or not, JoJo’s kitchen staff bakes their beautiful creations everyday, so both ice cream and cupcakes are fresh.
JoJo’s serves brides and grooms too! Coombs shares that JoJo’s does wedding consultations for the cake and the cake topper. Or, you can order a whole bunch of cupcakes for baby showers, bridal showers, graduation parties, housewarming parties, or Friday nights when you don’t have anywhere to go and you’re proud of it.
The business has grown so exponentially, Coombs expects JoJo’s to wait awhile before expanding further. “We’re looking at other locations though,” Coombs explains, “Like D.C. and Fell’s Point. Chris’s favorite place is the Carolinas so he’s looking there too.” Coombs continues, “We’re going all over!”
For right now, Coombs and the rest of JoJo’s staff want to simply enjoy being downtown. “The foot traffic is the best part,” Coombs says. She explains the Annapolis location is much larger than the other JoJo’s, and also includes a party room that’s available to rent. Returning to thoughts of downtown, Coombs thankfully says “Everything is right here.” Coombs is indeed right, but most important in this moment is a new ice cream/cupcake company called JoJo’s that all of you must try. Bikini season is nearly over–indulge!
If you’d like to learn more about JoJo’s dessert mojo, friend them on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pages/JoJos-Cupcakes-Cream-LLC/208047205904164), find them online (http://jojoscupcakesandcream.com/), or visit them at 188 Main Street. Add a little colored cake and flavored cream to your life!
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