Jacob Seltzer | Student Life

The blasting music summons students from near and far. It is impossible to resist: Even at 1 a.m., students line up to get a WashU McFlurry. Campus Creamery is a South 40 favorite, a classic midnight snack for WashU’s underclassmen. 

Three sophomores — Jei Han Hall, James Rukin, and Cooper Hazday — took over the well-loved ice cream shop last January as first-years. This year, they continue to own and operate the store, and they are excited to grow the business with their numerous new ideas.  

“As a freshman, you’re looking for a ‘thing,’” Hazday said. “I remember Harrison [the previous owner] emailed a lot of people, and I regretted not acting upon that first opportunity. But then, maybe a month later he emailed again, and I was so happy. [That is when] I started talking to him.” 

As first-year roommates, Rukin and Hall went to the Campus Creamery so often in their first semester that they began to know a lot of the employees quite well. In September, the owner approached them about buying the store, but they declined. However, he approached them again in November, this time with a lower price. Because they were both interested in business, the two decided to buy the Creamery. This is when Rukin and Hall met Hazday, and the three made the purchase together. The Creamery closed temporarily in January so that the transition could take place, and it reopened under new leadership in February. 

“Being able to see and meet new people has really been fun,” Hall said. “It’s a place where people come to hang out and enjoy themselves, sit down and have a conversation.” 

Still, the three students have found that owning a business for the first time has a learning curve. There are numerous facets they did not anticipate. Throughout this semester, they have become comfortable communicating with government institutions, working with vendors, contacting plumbers and mechanics when issues arise, and so much more — all while juggling their academics. 

“Sometimes, we spend so much of our time and money and thought into a certain idea and we lose money on it,” Rukin said. “The hardest part is failing when you work so hard and when you’ve put your actual money into it.” 

In particular, managing a staff of students the same age as them — or older — made it challenging to operate the Creamery.   

“Learning how to be a person that people respect and want to listen to and talk to has been super important, and it’s taught me a lot about what it means to be a leader,” Rukin said.

When they first took over the Creamery, the trio had lots of ideas for how to bring more variety to the menu. They have started selling biweekly exclusive flavors. Their last exclusive flavor, mint chip, did very well, according to the trio. They are also considering brownie sundaes, among other things. 

“The moments that I really love [are] when I make an ice cream and it’s [the customer’s] first time, and they turn to their friend, and without even thinking, they’re like, ‘Oh wow, this is really good!’” Hazday said. “That always brings a smile to my face. It’s a simple act, but it really makes people’s day.”  

Hall, Rukin, and Hazday want to make the Creamery a place for students to meet new people, listen to music, dance, and study — not just to buy ice cream. 

“[I’ve learned that] people like the emotions that you bring to a place more so than the things that you give them,” Hall said.