Jeremiah’s Italian Ice could open soon in Macon with inclusive & affordable dining opportunities
Jason Carroll always saved extra cupcakes for his friends with disabilities in middle and high school.
It was a simple gesture some overlooked, Carroll recalled.
“They were not treated the same as other people, and they had that need for companionship; a friend,” he said. “I just wanted to spread as much joy as I possibly could.”
Carroll, now a single father to a 9-year-old boy, plans to keep this passion for sweets and inclusivity alive at a new brick-and-mortar eatery called Jeremiah’s Italian Ice, likely opening in Macon soon.
The dessert shop has over 240 locations across the United States including in Centreville, Perry and Warner Robins.
The new Jeremiah’s, set to open at 1448 Bass Road, will be a place not only for frozen treats, but also for “those that struggle to be seen,” Carroll said.
He plans to put an emphasis on hiring teens, students and those with disabilities, like his mom taught him.
She was a teacher who catered to students with disabilities. Carroll recalled he would get to middle and high school early just to hang out with them.
He applauded companies like Publix and Chick-Fil-A for fostering similar support. Carroll knew a man with down syndrome who worked at both stores while living in North Carolina.
“I remember looking at his Publix badge … he’d been working there since like 19 years ago,” Carroll said. “He’s running the cash register, and that is huge. That’s a very proud thing.”
Similarly, job duties at Jeremiah’s could include handling money, cleaning and customer service – skills that Carroll noted can take a young person far.
“The interactive part is going to help the social side of things for them, but then just making the dessert and everything else is simple enough for them to get trained on as well,” he said.
He also volunteered with North Carolina-based Matthews United Methodist Church’s Rainbow Ministries, which helps adults with disabilities find and train for employment.
The Habersham County native recently moved to Macon to be closer to family. He became a single father when his wife died from cancer over a year ago, and decided to find a way to give back to others to fill the void.
“Jeremiah’s kind of landed up in front of me,” Carroll told The Telegraph. “I guess it’s been part of my healing process to serve others in the community.”
Serving others with soft serve, of course. The company is known for their gelati (no, not gelato), which is layers of ice cream, Italian ice and toppings. Some flavors include candy cookie, birthday cake, mud pie, strawberry shortcake and peanut butter cup.
If the Macon-Bibb County Planning and Zoning Commission approves for Carroll to move forward, he plans to open the shop with a drive-thru in March 2025.
“You can take a family of four into this … and not spend more than $20, and that is very hard to come by,” Carroll said. “You can go enjoy a sweet treat and not break the bank.”
This story was originally published December 27, 2024 at 5:00 AM.