Meet the Maker: A Q&A with Cliff Myers of Cherry Blossom Creamery in Hershey, PA
Title: Meet the Maker: A Q&A with Cliff Myers of Cherry Blossom Creamery in Hershey, PA
Introduction:
Cherry Blossom Creamery has quickly become a local favorite in Hershey. The shop offers small-batch, handmade ice cream with a story as rich as its flavors. We sat down with owner Cliff Myers to learn how this unique creamery came to be.
Q: Cliff, what inspired the creation of Cherry Blossom Creamery?
A: I’ve been entrepreneurial most of my life. Landscaping, retail, tennis instruction. But I wanted something new. I wasn’t ready to retire. I realized Hershey had no handmade ice cream shop, which felt unbelievable. It seemed like something the town needed. That inspired the beginning.
Q: What’s the mission behind your ice cream?
A: To bring high-quality, artisan ice cream to the community. We serve it in-house and now wholesale to local businesses like Perennial’s Grocery and Little League concessions. We hope to keep expanding.
Q: You mentioned you wrote a book. What’s it about?
A: It’s called Final Act. It’s a memoir about starting a business in an industry I knew nothing about. I wrote about the challenges, the learning curve, and what it takes to put an idea into action, especially during COVID. It’s about persistence and how to keep going.
Q: What was the biggest hurdle opening the shop?
A: Definitely zoning. Since we produce ice cream on-site, the township required a new zoning classification. That triggered major ADA and structural upgrades. One of the hardest parts was getting our parking area to meet the required accessibility grade. It was a long process with contractors, architects, and officials. Persistence finally paid off.
Q: What advice do you have for new entrepreneurs?
A: Show up. Most people avoid uncomfortable tasks or calls. When you’re present and willing to face things head-on, you’re already ahead of most people.
Q: What’s something people don’t know about you?
A: I’m an artist. I’ve done stained glass, murals, and even the cow sculpture at the shop. Creativity is a big part of who I am.
Closing:
From tennis pro to stained-glass artist to ice cream maker, Cliff embodies the spirit of Hershey entrepreneurship. Stop by Cherry Blossom Creamery and taste the result of passion, persistence, and creativity.
