Photo by: Scott Casey

The employees of Ben & Jerry’s at 2339 E. Evans Ave. out-scooped themselves on Thursday, giving away more than 1,700 pounds of ice cream during the company’s Customer Appreciation Day.

Store manager Brian Riccomini estimated the store served more than 6,000 people between noon and 8 p.m. The store only opened March 25, but its popularity was obvious. The line for the free cones filled the small shop and overflowed out the door for much of the day, as sunshine and temperatures in the 70s drew crowds of college students and neighborhood residents.

“We like to give back to the customers and the community. Instead of being strictly about selling ice cream, our mentality is to relate to the customers,” Riccomini said. The store’s “Free Cone” day started in 1978 at the first Ben & Jerry’s store, a renovated gas station in Burlington, Vt. Company founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield launched the day to say “thanks” to the community. The day became an annual tradition and community involvement became part of the company’s mission statement.

The Evans shop gave back more to the community on Thursday than just free ice cream. Customers could donate to the Boys and Girl’s Club of Denver. Riccomini mentioned other ways the new store will integrate into the community. Last year during graduation, the Ben & Jerry’s truck gave away over 5,000 ice cream sandwiches to graduates and other attendees. The store plans to do the same again this June. The store will offer a 10 percent discount on ice cream cakes to graduates.

According to Riccomini, business has been brisk since the store opened. “The DU market was lacking in dessert-type places,” said Riccomini. “We were a natural fit with the student life here.”