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I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream. And since 1953, thousands of customers have been shouting in praise of King Kone. Senator Terrence Murphy is one of the ice cream shop's many lifelong customers with fond memories of visiting King Kone as a child. In recognition of King Kone's economic and social impact on the community, Senator Murphy recently presented its co-owner, Brian Hopkins, with the first New York State Senate Empire Business Award.
Senator Murphy was joined by Somers Supervisor Rick Morrissey and Team Murphy mascot "Murph the Lion" as he presented Hopkins with the award. The award is given to businesses in recognition of their outstanding contributions, dedication to growth, prosperity, and the betterment of the community and New York State.
"King Kone is a local tradition. Their ice cream will make you feel like a kid again," said Senator Murphy. "It is appropriate that Brian and his wife Deborah are the first business owners to receive this award, not only because King Kone is a unique success story, but also because of its long tradition of making people happy."
Supervisor Morrissey said, "King Kone is one of our most successful and instantly recognizable local businesses. I often ask my wife, 'How long do you think the line is at King Kone?' If the lines are long, then that's a good thing for the economy. King Kone is a local jewel, a place where family and friends can enjoy each other's company and have great old-fashioned ice cream or a delicious meal."
"We have been in this community for a long time and we love what we do," stated Brian Hopkins. "It's good to be recognized for putting smiles on people's faces."
You could say that the Hopkins have built themselves an "empire". Located at Whitehall Corners at Routes 35 and 100 in Somers, Brian and Deborah Hopkins have owned King Kone since 2000. The Hopkins have been in the ice cream business for nearly 30 years and owned a gourmet shop in Armonk for 15 years prior to buying King Kone.
The Hopkins do not skimp on the quality of their menu items. They are also known in the community for their generosity. "Don't throw out the mistakes," Bob often says. The mistakes - when a customer orders the wrong flavor or changes their mind - wind up in the freezer and are donated to local organizations, local retail workers who toil late at night, or anyone the Hopkins feel may need a lift.
Lines at King Kone can indeed at times stretch down the street but as the old saying goes, anything worth having is worth the wait. The shop's main attraction is old-fashioned soft-serve ice cream in all its incarnations: cups, cones, shakes, sundaes, floats, and flurries. In addition, customers can enjoy lobster rolls, fried clams, burgers, hot dogs and more.
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