Today we’d like to introduce you to Mark Berens.
Hi Mark, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My father, Don Berens, opened our first shop on Buford Hwy in 1976 when I was 12. In the mid-late 80s, he closed down the brick-and-mortar shops and concentrated on doing special events like the monthly Scott Antique show, and local festivals. When he passed away in 2005, I took over and eventually opened my own brick-and-mortar in 2010. After 10 years in Snellville, we moved to our current location at The Railyard in nearby downtown Grayson. We have been a part of the Snellville/Grayson community for over 30 years, having raised our two sons, Matt & Jacob here.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Just the typical small business owner trials. 80-hour workweeks, and very little money to show for it in the early going :-). The time it takes away from my incredibly supportive family. In the Summer of 2019, our landlord invoked a relocation clause and forced us to move within our shopping center to make way for doctor’s offices. Even though this was a huge imposition and tough on us, in the end, it spurred us to look at new locations, landing us in our current spot. So it turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Berens Frozen Custard?
Berens Frozen Custard is a generational, family-owned business founded in 1976 and now located in Grayson, GA. We specialize in making fresh, frozen custard (think ice cream…only better) several times throughout the day. We make our custard fresh every 2-3 hours, ensuring that the customer always enjoys the freshest product possible. The secret to making the best-frozen custard is in the air…or lack of it. Our specialized machines put very little air into the final product. Whereas ice cream and frozen yogurt can sometimes be as much as 50% air, our process keeps the air to a minimum, creating a richer, thicker product. Berens has been voted Best Ice Cream Shop in Atlanta by the AJC on two different occasions, and we’ve been named “Best of Gwinnett” seven years in a row.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
For work, I like to keep up with the industry via periodicals, YouTube channels, and other media outlets. I also attend the annual NAICA conference (Ice cream association). All of our employees are high school/college age, and I take very seriously, the responsibility of being the first boss for most of them. I read a lot of leadership material and do my best to incorporate that into how we run things. I’m particularly fond of Simon Sinek and John C. Maxwell’s books.
Contact Info:
- Email: mark@berenscustard.com
- Website: www.berenscustard.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/berensfrozencustard/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Berens-Frozen-Custard-130675613663569
- Other: TikTok…https://www.tiktok.com/@berensfrozencustard
Image Credits
Elle Morris…VisuElle Photography
