In celebration of Tri-State’s 80th anniversary, we are highlighting some of our relationships with restaurants and chefs. When reflecting on our partners in the community, we have to start with Bruster’s Real Ice Cream. Tri-State’s relationship with Bruster’s started well before their first cone was scooped.
We spoke with Mark Oldaker, Project Management/Distribution at Bruster’s, about this long-standing partnership.
From Classmates to Colleagues
Ed Sondheimer, who would go on to be the second-generation owner of Tri-State, and Bruce Reed, who would go on to found Bruster’s Real Ice Cream, didn’t meet over ice cream equipment. They were classmates at Beaver Falls High School.
The business connection came first through their fathers. Bruce’s father, Jerry Reed, started Jerry’s Curb Service Restaurant in 1947 (which still serves its famous hand-breaded chicken tenders, burgers, and fresh-cut fries), and began working with Harold Sondheimer at Tri-State to purchase the equipment needed to keep the diner running smoothly.
In 1989, Jerry’s son, Bruce Reed, decided to open a small-batch ice cream shop. Because of the long-standing relationship between Jerry and Tri-State, Bruce came to Harold to outfit his first stores.
With a strong family bond and understanding the risks come with any new foodservice venture, Bruce promised Harold that if Bruster’s was a success, the Reed and Sondheimer families would work together for as long as both families were in business. And he and Bruster’s have remained true to this promise. Tri-State is the recommended equipment dealer for all Bruster’s locations, including franchises.
When Harold retired and Ed took over, the two classmates found themselves carrying on the second generation of the working relationship that their fathers had built. “For years, Ed was our guy,” Mark said. “The loyalty between the two companies has always been strong, and it still is today. They’ve always treated our franchise community very well and have always treated our office fairly.”
Ready for the Ride
What started as a local hit grew quickly. Over the years, Bruster’s expanded into 25 states, opening between 40 and 50 stores a year at its peak, and the vast majority of these stores relied on Tri-State for their entire equipment package.
“It was a roller coaster ride,” Mark said. “During that stretch, we were moving at 100 miles an hour, and if you weren’t ready for that ride, you were going to get left behind. Those were some big years for us together.”
More Than a Vendor
The business relationship has always been grounded in something more personal, and that comes through in how Mark talks about Tri-State’s service.
“Without question, I always recommend Tri-State. All the attributes are in place: the experience, the credibility they bring to the table, and the extensive network they’ve built over the years. There are a lot of people there who know that business inside and out.”
What keeps Mark recommending them isn’t just expertise. “Pricing is important to most people, and their pricing is very fair. The communication and the relationship have always been strong. When a deal is done, Tri-State doesn’t forget you. If you need anything or if equipment breaks down, they are there with support and guidance. Tri-State has always been there to point you in the right direction and take care of their customers, and they’ve done that for us.”
For Mark, though, the relationship with Ed went well beyond business. “He was my primary contact, but honestly, I always considered Ed a friend, and I’d assume he felt the same about me. We would go to ballgames and out to dinner quite frequently.”
Birthday Parties and Big Hearts
Mark shared a small story about the relationship between Tri-State and Bruster’s. “When my daughters were little, we would have birthday parties at the house. I would rent a big tent, empty out the garage, and get tables and chairs from Tri-State. Ed would have his guys load up the truck and drop everything off beforehand. He would also bring his mom to all of those parties. She would sit in a chair and watch the kids bounce around the driveway and garage. He was a good person, a really interesting person, with a really big heart.”
The generations of support and trust between the Reed and Sondheimer families exemplify what it means to have a business partnership built on more than just transactions. We are excited to see what future endeavors we can bring to life.
