Ice Cream, Homemade Fudge at New Waugh Chapel Shop

Karen Gilmore sheepishly admits that it took her a while to try out all of the flavors of Kilwins Ice Cream. 

While living in Florida, she and her family were frequent patrons of the premium ice cream and candy shop, but she always turned to the toasted coconut. 

Now, she'll have the chance to broaden her flavor horizons as the owner of the newest Kilwins franchise, a stone's throw from the movie theater at the Waugh Chapel Towne Centre. 

"The first time we went into Kilwins, it was like 'wow, this is cool,'" she said. "I didn't get a sense it was a franchise when I was in there." 

Karen and her husband David expect to open the shop on April 14 and will follow with a second location in Fells Point in Baltimore. They recently returned from Michigan, where they received training on preparing the Kilwins products and running the business. 

The Michigan-based Kilwins now has more than 80 franchises across the country. The new Gambrills location is part of an expansion east of the Mississippi River. 

The shop specializes in premium ice cream, but also carries an array of other treats including fudge, caramel corn, caramel-dipped apples and chocolates. All products, with the exception of the ice cream, are made on site. 

"The products sell themselves because they are so good," she said.

Family ties brought the Gilmores and their three children—ages 7,8 and 9—back to Maryland. They now reside in the Chapman Farms section of Crofton. Neither Karen or David had owned a business before they decided to buy the Kilwins franchises, though Karen had worked in sales and marketing with Quaker Oats and Hallmark. David most recently worked as an attorney with the federal government. 

At first, David was drawn to a location in Fells Point, and was less excited about the Waugh Chapel location. Karen felt the opposite way. They bought both. 

"It was him selling me on Fells Point and me selling him on Waugh Chapel," Karen Gilmore said. "We didn't want either location to fall through."

Karen Gilmore said she was aware of the number of competing ice cream shops in the area, including Brusters, Cold Stone Creamery and Friendly's. But she said Kilwins is unique because of the small-shop feel and customer service, plus the other unique food items. 

"We think we'll be able to differentiate ourselves ... there's nothing here like this now," Karen Gilmore said. 

Kilwins is currently hiring. To see a list of job openings and to apply, go to kilwins.com/crofton. You can also check out Kilwins on Facebook.