Derek Billingsly and Naomi Van Roosmalen are a husband and wife team, and make each flavour from scratch and by hand.
A new mom-and-pop ice cream shop is opening on Germain street this week, just in time for warm weather.
Derek Billingsly and Naomi Van Roosmalen are a husband and wife team at Bella’s, and make each flavour from scratch and by hand.
The couple say they were inspired to open the shop after a family trip to Boston.
“We were in this square, and everybody had ice cream. There was a little homemade ice cream shop there, and it was bustling. Everybody was there, and everybody was happy,” said Billingsly in an interview.
“We thought it’d be nice to have something like that here in Saint John,” said Van Roosmalen.
She says the area is an exciting place to be, and they are thrilled to become part of the Uptown community.
Derek Billingsly serves some of his first customers.
“This area of town, there’s been a lot of positive change in the area, a lot of development,” she said.
“Another piece of it that’s important to us is community. Part of our vision is to have people come together here at Bella’s and just make friends… have a good time and enjoy ice cream.”
Van Roosmalen says being local, eco-friendly and all natural are also some of the shop’s key values.
“We don’t want to use preservatives in our product, we want to make it homemade and from scratch. It’s really about quality for us, and so we use natural ingredients, and fresh ingredients,” she explained.
Their list of rotating flavours include classics like cookies and cream, chocolate, and strawberry, along some unique ones, like roasted banana, and a rum raisin Billingsly says he might have to card people for. They also will have a variety of vegan and dairy free options.
The couple also use sustainable packaging, like glass jars for pints, cardboard bowls, and wooden spoons.
Van Roosmalen says reducing plastic use is important to her, especially as a business owner.
“I don’t want to add to the waste that’s already out there,” she said.
“I’m kind of hoping that this will also get other businesses to maybe start thinking about that a bit more, and start doing that as well. Its just something I would really like to see spread here in Saint John.”
Along with their own children, Bella’s will employ an “energetic team of students” throughout the summer.
“We’re very entrepreneurial, we thought the kids could help be involved and help take ownership, so we thought it was a great business to bring the kids in. They’re helping us make ice cream, they’re right involved,” he said.
Billingsly values family, and even named the shop after his grandmother, Isabella.
Bella’s Ice Cream plans to open on Germain street this week.
“I was definitely a grandmother’s boy growing up,” joked Billingsly.
He hopes to get his grandfather down to the store to cut a ribbon when they officially open on Wednesday evening.
“It’s important to me. I’ll probably get a little teary eyed,” he said.
Bella’s is located at 87 Germain street. You can find more details about their opening on their website.
