Local restaurant owner Tim Sedney signed a franchise agreement to open a Bruster’s Real Ice Cream shop in the Dobbins Landing section of Erie, Pennsylvania. It’s one of 25 locations Bruster’s expects to open next year.
The stand-alone shop is scheduled to open in March 2015 at 3100 W. 12th St., site of a former Bruster’s that operated there many years ago. Sedney has given the building’s façade a complete facelift and installed new landscaping. All other renovations will be completed by mid-January.
Sedney operates two popular waterfront restaurants, also in Dobbins Landing, that attract tourists and local residents alike. He’s owned Rum Runners for 26 years and Rum Runners Cove for eight years. He also operates three tour boats with partner Gary Leibel, who joins him in the Bruster’s franchise.
“Gary and I wanted to do something different and decided we wanted to open an ice cream shop,” Sedney says. “We looked at other frozen treat chains and knew Bruster’s was the right fit for us. Their product is superior and the Bruster’s brand has powerful name recognition.”
Once their shop is open, the two plan to promote Bruster’s array of frozen treats at the nearly 30 summer events in Erie. Sedney and Leibel already have plans to open a second Bruster’s location in the neighboring Harborcreek section.
Bruster’s is experiencing its best performance in 12 years. It has completed seven consecutive quarters of same-store sales growth, with some markets up as much as 12 percent over 2013. “We are excited to bring Bruster’s back to Erie,” says Jim Sahene, Bruster’s CEO. “It has been a great market for us in the past and Tim will be a welcome addition to the Bruster’s family.”
