Coaster Photo
The Baked Bear is schedule to open in a section of the former Fitness Lifestyles space in Asbury Park.
By ED SALVAS
The Baked Bear is arriving soon in Asbury Park. The custom ice cream sandwich shop is moving into space in the former Fitness Lifestyles building at 614 Cookman Ave. in mid-April, according to Tyler Hess, the franchise owner.
It will be the second Baked Bear in New Jersey. Hess also owns the first franchise, which opened in Pier Village in Long Branch in 2021. The Baked Bear concept is simple: – ice cream sandwiches made with freshly baked cookies filled with ice cream. Customers can choose from 12 different cookies and 12 original flavors of ice cream, including two vegan, and can mix and match their selections.
The Baked Bear gets its name from the cookies that are fresh baked and the polar bear that thrives in the cold. It originated in San Diego in 2012 and now has franchise locations in 10 states. Hess was in the U. S. Navy in San Diego when the first Baked Bear opened and thought it would be a great addition to the Jersey shore. A few years later he was working for Nestle in Freehold making Haagen Dazs ice cream and bought the first New Jersey franchise.
The new store will have inside seating for 40 as well as short local delivery by DoorDash, Uber Eats and Grubhub.
Hess said he also has a truck for catering outside events, parties, weddings and business gatherings. He believes the Asbury Park location should have more year-round business than Pier Village which he says is very seasonal. The Asbury Park shop will be open from noon to 11 p.m. Monday to Thursday and to 1 a.m. on Friday. Weekends hours will be 11 a.m. to midnight.
Tyler Hess and his wife, Elly are residents of the Shark River Hills section of Neptune with their two daughters, ages 2 -1/2 and 15 months.
Learn more at www.thebakedbear.com and also on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.