Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
About Jeni’s
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams is a modern American ice cream company, but its story is one rooted in art, obsession, and a community. Founded in 2002 by Jeni Britton Bauer, the company has since grown from a single scoop shop in Columbus, Ohio, to a nationally acclaimed brand with a strong focus on high-quality ingredients and inventive flavor combinations. Jeni’s stands out for its unique, buttercream-like texture and its commitment to using whole, responsibly sourced ingredients. The company has a “Fellowship Model,” prioritizing relationships with family dairy farms and local growers. This dedication to quality and community has cemented Jeni’s as a pioneer in the artisan ice cream movement and a must visit destination at the North Market
How Did The Idea Come About?
Jeni Britton Bauer’s path began not in a kitchen, but in an art studio. As an art and art history student at The Ohio State University, she became fascinated with how scent and flavor interact. This led her to experiment with making her own perfumes and incorporating essential oils into food. The true “aha!” moment occurred around 1995-1996 when she added cayenne pepper to chocolate ice cream. The surprising contrast of cold and sweet followed by a burst of heat made her realize that ice cream was “the perfect carrier of scent.” This revelation sparked a lifelong passion. With this newfound purpose, she opened her first ice cream stand, Scream Ice Creams, in 1996 at the North Market in Columbus. For four years, she worked tirelessly, living on meager profits and perfecting her recipes. This period of hands-on experimentation taught her the importance of offering a variety of flavors and a consistent product. After refining her craft, Jeni returned to the North Market in 2002, officially launching Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams with a clear vision and a loan, ready to share her creations with the world.
What’s Your Favorite Thing About Being a Part of The North Market?
For Jeni and her company, the North Market is more than just a location; it’s the very soul of the brand. It was the incubator for her vision and the living embodiment of the “Fellowship Model” that Jeni’s operates on today. Her favorite thing about being a part of the North Market is the deep sense of community and the direct connection to ingredients and people. The market served as a real-time test kitchen where she could experiment with new flavors and get immediate feedback from customers. She could literally walk from her stall to other vendors to find inspiration and source fresh, local ingredients like produce and herbs. This environment taught her the value of building relationships with growers and makers, a practice that remains a cornerstone of the company. The North Market provided the supportive “village” that helped raise Jeni’s, teaching her everything from business operations to the power of a strong community, and cementing its place as an integral part of the Jeni’s story.
Must try flavors:
- Salted Peanut Butter with Chocolate Flecks
- Brambleberry Crisp
- Gooey Butter Cake
- Opaque
Story of Jeni and Jeni’s Ice Cream
Jeni Britton Bauer’s story is one of an artist who found her ultimate medium in ice cream. From an early age, Jeni was fascinated by ice cream, and her first job at 15 was at an ice cream shop. While studying art history in college, she became obsessed with scent and flavor, leading her to the pivotal moment of adding cayenne to chocolate ice cream. This single event set her on a lifelong path. Today, Jeni remains the Chief Creative Officer, continuing to innovate and oversee all creative aspects of the company. Her journey from an art student to an industry pioneer demonstrates that with passion, a bit of spice, and a strong sense of community, a simple scoop of ice cream can be a work of art.
Phone:
(614) 228-9960
Website:
Merchant's operating hours:
Sunday & Monday: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday - Thursday: 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Friday & Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.