Janice Holzopfel worked at Kustard Korner as her first job.
She still remembers how hard it was to make a perfect soft custard cone.
Today, as the co-owner of the Plain Township ice cream shop with her husband Brent, she teaches others how.
Holzopfel, who is a business analyst with Huntington Bank, has owned the Kustard Korner since 2010.
She grew up in Canton and is a graduate of Canton McKinley High School. She has a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a Master of Business Administration from Kent State University.
Holzopfel and her husband have two children: Hannah, 24, a psychology graduate student at Kent State, and Ben, 21, an exercise science major at Ashland University.
How long have you owned and operated the Kustard Korner and why did you want to own it?
My husband and I have owned Kustard Korner since 2010, so 2026 marks our 17th season in business. I worked at the shop for the original owner, Sandra Kean, through high school and college.
I enjoy our customers and being creative with ice cream. Brent and I wanted to do something as a family, and the opportunity to own Kustard Korner came at a good time.
What would you say are the top favorite items you sell each season?
Our top items would include, on the soft custard side, the Hot Fudge Brownie Sundae, a homemade brownie snuggled up to a serving of our creamy vanilla custard, topped with hot fudge, whip and a cherry, the Turtle Sundae, our creamy vanilla custard topped with hot fudge, caramel fudge, Heggy’s pecan pieces, whip, and a cherry, and any of the Arctic Swirl selections that include the Reese’s Mix Up and Brent’s Banana Pudding Swirls.
On the food side, our coney dogs, featuring our sweet, homemade coney sauce, burgers, and a variety of fried sides keep Brent busy in the kitchen.
How have your customers surprised you over the years?
Our customers are great! We’ve been in business for quite some time, so we’ve developed very nice relationships with many of them.
Customers have shown incredible support during busy seasons, weather challenges, and even simple day-to-day moments with kind words. They are creative and allow us to be the same. What we value the most is realizing how much our small local business is part of this community.
When you have spare time over the summer months, what are your favorite ways to spend time with family and friends?
Unfortunately, we do not have spare time in the summer with our full-time jobs and the shop. We vacation as a family in the fall after the shop closes or in the spring before it opens. Our top places to visit are the Atlantis in the Bahamas or Ft Lauderdale in Florida.
Being a business owner and employer, what did you learn from the first job you ever had that helps you in your work today?
Kustard Korner was actually my first job, and I still remember how hard it was to make a perfect soft custard cone. That experience stays with me today as a business owner and employer. It reminds me that every skill takes time to learn, and not everyone starts out confident or experienced.
Because of that, I try to lead with patience and respect for my team. Each employee brings something valuable and unique to the business. Working in a fast-paced environment teaches so many important life skills — reliability, accountability, communication and teamwork.
My hope is that no matter where life takes them next, Kustard Korner will have been a positive experience that they remember.
Editor’s note: Five questions with … is a Sunday feature that showcases a member of the Stark County community. If you’d like to recommend someone to participate, send an email to newsroom@cantonrep.com.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Meet Janice Holzopfel of Kustard Korner. She creates the perfect soft custard cone
Reporting by Patricia Faulhaber, Special to the Canton Repository / The Repository
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By Patricia Faulhaber, Special to the Canton Repository | USA TODAY Network
