With the shadow of Mt. Tom in the distance sits a local treasure that has quietly—and deliciously—become part of Easthampton’s identity. Mt. Tom’s Homemade Ice Cream isn’t just a scoop shop; it’s a story of legacy, bold choices, and the joy of making people smile—one cone at a time.

For owner Jim Ingram, the journey began not in a kitchen, but in the world of engineering. It was a breakfast chat in 2001 with his father—a retired ice cream shop owner himself—that sparked a life-changing idea. “Even though my engineering career was going pretty steady, I just wanted to do something different,” Ingram said. That conversation opened the door to something more than just a career shift.

He began searching around Western Massachusetts, where he lived at the time, keeping his eyes open for a place that felt right. One day, while chatting with a friend, he stumbled upon what would become Mt. Tom’s. “It was just this dark little closet of a space, kind of tucked away,” Ingram remembered. “But the moment I saw it, I knew it was the place.”  He saw beyond the old store’s dusty walls, which was originally a candy store. He poured his energy into transforming it, and in 2003—amid an uncertain economic climate—he opened his doors to the Easthampton community.

At first, the learning curve was steep. “My dad had years of experience, and I had a lot of catching up to do,” Ingram said. There were late nights, trial-and-error batches, and plenty of advice from his father—some of it reluctantly given at first. “He wasn’t sure about it in the beginning,” he admitted, “but eventually he came around. After a lot of persuading, he helped me get the hang of it.” Over time, the techniques stuck, and so did the values: quality, creativity, and a love for the process.

More than two decades later, Mt. Tom’s has over 40 rotating flavors of ice cream, yet Ingram still operates with the same humility and heart. “You can’t make everyone happy,” he laughs, “but you can always try.” Mt. Tom’s is known for balancing beloved classics with adventurous creations. “It’s all a process of experimentation,” he said. “After all these years, I have a sense of what’ll work. Even if it’s not perfect, it’ll be fine—and if people like it, it stays.”

The store’s magic doesn’t stop at ice cream. From custom ice cream cakes and sundae kits to gourmet chocolates and a nostalgic selection of penny candy, the offerings reflect both creativity and community. Many of these ideas, Ingram shared, come from customer suggestions dropped into the shop’s suggestion jar. “It’s not just about selling ice cream. It’s about creating memories,” he said.

That philosophy runs deep. In a digital age where so much is bought and consumed online, Mt. Tom’s offers something real—something you can hold, taste, and remember. “People come in and taste a flavor that reminds them of their childhood, or sit by the pond with a cone in hand,” he said.

Though the shop has grown with Easthampton—now busier and more vibrant than when he started—some things remain on Ingram’s wish list. “More seating. More parking,” he admits with a smile. But if you ask him whether he’d ever consider relocating, the answer is simple: never. “This place… it’s just right.”

Behind the counter, behind the scenes, behind every scoop, is a quiet sense of pride. “Seeing customers enjoy what I’ve built—that’s what makes it all worth it,” he said. After all these years, Mt. Tom’s isn’t just an ice cream parlor. It’s a place of connection, comfort, and community—handcrafted, just like the treats inside.

Check out his first hand story: https://originalicecreamdiaries.wordpress.com/

Follow them on Instagram: @mt.toms.icecream