New Management, Same Delicious Ice Cream

Papa Jim’s Ice Cream opened up a new location on Oct. 20. The owner, Duncan Goodwin, said they had three weeks to get it ready for opening day. Renovations are still taking place to make the space their own. Outside the store, sunlight bounced from tree to tree, filling the air with light. Even so, it was dark inside of Papa Jim’s. The few fluorescent lights dotted along the ceiling did not keep the interior lit, even with the sunlight streaming through the windows. Many people opted for the outdoor seating. 

Goodwin recently bought the company from Jim Toms, the original Papa Jim, who opened the store in 2011. He said, “I bought it because I have three kids.” He wants it to be a place they can work in when they grow up. 

He also bought it to be more involved with the community. Although he owns two businesses with offices in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, he and his family have ties to the Fluvanna area. His wife works as a special education teacher at Fluvanna County High School, and his 13-year-old daughter, the oldest of his kids, had her Make-A-Wish announcement at Papa Jim’s when she was younger.

Their old building, located in Troy, has no indoor seating, which makes it hard to stay open in the winter. They have usually had to close their doors from November to February. Also, Goodwin said that there isn’t enough room in their old place to be a social center, which is his goal for the store. He wants to help create memories for children and parents. 

He described a childhood memory of his from England, where he was born. Every Friday night, he and his family would go down to the local pub, which had a field. The kids would play with each other in the field while the parents would sit and talk with each other. That is the kind of memory he wants to create with families in Fluvanna County. Since he bought Papa Jim’s in 2021, Goodwin has been planning on opening a new location, preferably with an open area like the one he remembers from his youth. 

After looking for around a year and not finding a suitable place, an opportunity arose. Amo Gelato was shutting its doors, with a location near Lake Monticello. Since Goodwin knew most of their customers were from Lake Monticello, he decided to take the opportunity and establish the business closer to Fluvanna County. 

Renovations still have a ways to go, but Goodwin has a vision. A display case that used to be full of homemade pastries has been repurposed to hold posters and menus. Goodwin said the display case will hopefully also be used to sell pastries from local students. The goal is to teach them about selling their own products. That way, students who are interested in the culinary arts can experience running a mini bakery, without having to commit to culinary school or a four-year university first. 

Since buying the shop, he and his wife wanted to make sure it was “a really safe environment for kids to get their first jobs.” He hopes this shop is more appealing than a job at a fast food restaurant, where “you’re just a number.” With his store, he hopes to help kids get a job that will connect them to the community and help them be more comfortable with working. 

“Our kids are great, great kids,” Goodwin said, “They all really work hard, and we try to make sure they are heard and they feel appreciated.”

To try some Papa Jim’s Ice Cream, visit their new location at 265 Turkeysag Trail or the place it all started, which is closed until March, at 19289 James Madison Highway.