Matt Scott Takes Charge at SoCo Creamery in Great Barrington

Matt Scott has officially taken ownership of SoCo Creamery, a beloved ice cream shop located at 5 Railroad Street in Great Barrington. The purchase from previous owner Erik Bruun was finalized in April 2023, though Scott chose to keep the news under wraps until discussing it in an interview with The Berkshire Edge on December 19, 2023.

Founded in 2004, SoCo Creamery has built a reputation for its artisanal ice cream. Bruun acquired the business in 2015, and Scott’s connection to the shop dates back to his tenure as director of brand integrity and flavor master from August 2009 to October 2017. After leaving SoCo, Scott gained further experience at Ample Hills Creamery in Brooklyn, New York, and Dutchess Creamery in Red Hook, New York, before launching his own consulting business, Optimal Ice Cream, in January 2023.

Scott expressed his enthusiasm for returning to Berkshire County with his family, citing the challenges of city living. “We were happy to be in Brooklyn, but the financial and space constraints of living in the city became overwhelming,” he said. His family includes his wife and their two young children, ages nine and five.

In addition to managing SoCo Creamery, Scott will continue his work with Optimal Ice Cream, where he assists smaller ice cream operations in scaling production. “I help them find the right equipment, do plant layouts, and connect them with engineers,” he explained.

Despite his extensive experience, Scott plans to maintain the core operations of SoCo Creamery while introducing some new elements. He aims to enhance the ice cream pint packaging with vibrant designs, acknowledging that minimal changes will be made to the store’s operations. “SoCo has been here in one form or another for over 20 years,” he noted. “I wouldn’t want to disrupt what is already a successful and popular business.”

Scott is also focused on upgrading the store’s equipment and signage. He indicated that the shop would temporarily close during the winter to facilitate these improvements, stating, “I want to improve the experience for the consumer and give our scoopers the tools to do their jobs more easily.”

As part of his vision for SoCo Creamery, Scott has reassessed the business’s wholesale accounts. “We had more wholesale accounts, but I walked away from some because the effort versus reward ratio was not right,” he said. This strategic decision reflects his commitment to focusing on the core strengths of the business rather than expanding for the sake of growth.

Scott’s wife, Caitlin, has played a significant role in the transition, assisting with the complexities of retail management. “I grossly underestimated how complex managing the retail store would be,” Scott admitted.

For those interested in visiting SoCo Creamery, more information, including operating hours, can be found on the company’s website. As Scott embarks on this new chapter, his passion for ice cream and community engagement promises to keep SoCo Creamery a cherished destination in Great Barrington.