ROME: A new business designed to indulge the masses while helping those in need is headed to the Compuware Building downtown.
The Detroit Water Ice Factory, an Italian ice company, is moving into the former Ben & Jerry’s scoop shop location.
The new business — an idea hatched by Detroit Free Press columnist Mitch Albom — will donate 100 percent of its proceeds to the organizations that Albom’s S.A.Y. Detroit supports.
Since its launch during the 2006 Super Bowl in Detroit, the foundation has supported efforts including:
A full-time medical clinic for homeless children and their mothers, working with Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries.
A state-of-the-art kitchen at the Michigan Veterans Foundation.
A full-time day care center for the children of homeless women who are in transition or searching for work.
Newly refurbished homes for the working poor, deeded to them after two years of occupancy.
Albom is funding the startup costs for the Detroit Water Ice Factory, and Bedrock Real Estate Services LLC is donating the space, said Mike Isabella, a spokesman for the venture.
Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries is also playing an unknown role in the new venture, which is set to be announced Tuesday morning.
As Crain’s reported in May, Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit ceased operating the Ben & Jerry’s Partnershop there this year.
At the time, Goodwill said the shop limited its ability to expand its youth job training program, given that the franchise agreement did not enable Goodwill to sell Ben & Jerry’s ice cream at any other location and that it was a seasonal business.
After the Detroit Water Ice Factory’s launch, Goodwill will provide two young people who have come through its training program as permanent employees for the new business. Two other young people will take eight-week training spots at the new shop, said Jim Kornas, vice president of growth and marketing initiatives for Goodwill.
