I heart JP Licks
Some time ago, I signed up for the monthly newsletters from J.P. Licks, Homemade Ice Cream Cafe based in Boston. It's nice to know what new flavours they're coming up with; even if, for the 9 or 10 months of the year I wasn't in Boston, it was a form of torture. [I also get regular updates from Dunkin Donuts too, I must be a masochist!] Anyway, when they sent out the last monthly newsletter on May 1, I decided to email them and tell them not only that their ice cream had reached all the way across the pond, but that I was pining away because I couldn't have any more.
This was the e-mail I sent:
Dear J.P. Licks
I am just writing to tell you how much I love your ice cream and I enjoy getting the newsletters from you that tell me of all the new flavours you are bringing out.
I last had one of your ice creams in November 2010 but I don't know when I will have chance to have another. You see, I live in England and was introduced to your ice creams four years ago when I was dating someone who lived in Boston. I visited the area every six months or so and I made it a point to go to your store at least once during each of my visits.
Sad to say that relationship has now ended and I no longer have any reason to visit Boston or even Massachusetts. It makes me very sad to think that I may never taste any of your mouth-wateringly delicious ice creams again. Or even your coffee which is also especially yummy. I am glad to see that your stores are slowly spreading their way across Massachusetts but I would be overjoyed if you were to find your way to opening up a store over in England. (Please please please!!) I still hope that at some point in the future, I will be back at one of your stores - after all, I have a Cow Card that is in serious need of points! (And maybe I will be in the area one March so I can collect my free birthday sundae for once!)
Much love
Nathaniel, in England
I wondered if I'd get a reply but after a few days had passed without one, I forgot about it. And then to my delight, I got an email from them just a short while ago. And this was what they said:
Hello Nathaniel,
Thank you for your email. It's great to hear our customer base has expanded to other countries.
We can't say for sure when we would be able to make such a move due to the owner not currently considering to franchise at this point in time. We recently just opened our 10th location so we're still trying our best to just cover the state. Vince, the owner, prefers to take a more steady approach to make sure we meet all of customers' needs but the opening of more stores will definitely speed up expansion.
We appreciate your input and hope that you continue to enjoy our products whenever you visit. Please email us your cow card number and we'll load a sundae on there for you to use on your next visit.
Thank you,
J.P. Licks Homemade Ice Cream Cafe
Firstly, it's nice to know that my e-mail was appreciated, and it's even better when it gets a personal response rather than just a form letter. I think people are all too eager to write up to a company to complain but would never think of writing up to say how good they are. It's also nice to know that this is a company who puts their customers' needs first, which is something I was aware of with regards to JP Licks anyway. They are very much a local company for local people. I mean, this is the company who did a buy one get one free special offer during the recent snow storms in January! And yes, in the middle of winter, people in Boston will shovel six feet of snow and then go out to buy ice creams. Weirdos. And of course, the offer of a free sundae - that would cost about $6 - is the cherry on top ;)
This was the e-mail I sent:
Dear J.P. Licks
I am just writing to tell you how much I love your ice cream and I enjoy getting the newsletters from you that tell me of all the new flavours you are bringing out.
I last had one of your ice creams in November 2010 but I don't know when I will have chance to have another. You see, I live in England and was introduced to your ice creams four years ago when I was dating someone who lived in Boston. I visited the area every six months or so and I made it a point to go to your store at least once during each of my visits.
Sad to say that relationship has now ended and I no longer have any reason to visit Boston or even Massachusetts. It makes me very sad to think that I may never taste any of your mouth-wateringly delicious ice creams again. Or even your coffee which is also especially yummy. I am glad to see that your stores are slowly spreading their way across Massachusetts but I would be overjoyed if you were to find your way to opening up a store over in England. (Please please please!!) I still hope that at some point in the future, I will be back at one of your stores - after all, I have a Cow Card that is in serious need of points! (And maybe I will be in the area one March so I can collect my free birthday sundae for once!)
Much love
Nathaniel, in England
I wondered if I'd get a reply but after a few days had passed without one, I forgot about it. And then to my delight, I got an email from them just a short while ago. And this was what they said:
Hello Nathaniel,
Thank you for your email. It's great to hear our customer base has expanded to other countries.
We can't say for sure when we would be able to make such a move due to the owner not currently considering to franchise at this point in time. We recently just opened our 10th location so we're still trying our best to just cover the state. Vince, the owner, prefers to take a more steady approach to make sure we meet all of customers' needs but the opening of more stores will definitely speed up expansion.
We appreciate your input and hope that you continue to enjoy our products whenever you visit. Please email us your cow card number and we'll load a sundae on there for you to use on your next visit.
Thank you,
J.P. Licks Homemade Ice Cream Cafe
Firstly, it's nice to know that my e-mail was appreciated, and it's even better when it gets a personal response rather than just a form letter. I think people are all too eager to write up to a company to complain but would never think of writing up to say how good they are. It's also nice to know that this is a company who puts their customers' needs first, which is something I was aware of with regards to JP Licks anyway. They are very much a local company for local people. I mean, this is the company who did a buy one get one free special offer during the recent snow storms in January! And yes, in the middle of winter, people in Boston will shovel six feet of snow and then go out to buy ice creams. Weirdos. And of course, the offer of a free sundae - that would cost about $6 - is the cherry on top ;)