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New Soft-Serve Set to Make “Ripples” in Conifer

JJ Madwell’s Closes After 17 Years of Operation, Restaurant sold to New Owners
Erich Bohn and Macallan Barber • September 6, 2024
Erich Bohn
JJ Madwell’s following its closure. The closing of JJ Madwell’s marks the end of one of the oldest businesses in the Conifer area. However, it seems as though Tony Buccelli, the former owner of JJ Madwell’s, may not be done yet, as some say that he already has plans for the future. “He’s thinking of coming to work at the school… Or he’s gonna go into construction with some of his friends,” sophomore and Tony’s daughter Payton Buccelli said.

     For 17 Years, the Buccelli family has owned JJ Madwell’s, an Italian restaurant that has supported Conifer High School and its booster club. However, as of July 2024, the location has closed as its owners felt that it was too much for them and that they would like to move on to the next stage in their lives. But with every end comes a new beginning as the lot on which JJ Madwell’s is located has been sold to the Ripple Soft Ice Cream Company, which is planning to expand the business in an entirely new way.

      “Our vision was always of a gathering place, it was always to create an inclusive environment where people within Conifer could come together,” Ripple Owner Matt Lole said. “And for us, JJ Madwell’s has been a gathering place but we want to broaden our trail a little bit.”

      After working as a management consultant and a sales director for nearly 20 years and “hating it”, Matt Lole and his husband Kevin Lole decided to make a change in their lives and founded the Ripple Soft Ice Cream Company in order to bring joy to themselves and to bring joy to the community. They believe they saw an opportunity when JJ Madwell’s went up for sale.

Ripple was based out of this Volkswagen Bus prior to their purchase of the JJ Madwell’s location. The vehicle was specifically designed to draw attention to it and to look interesting, which is all part of an effort by Ripple to garner excitement to the opening of a permanent location for the business. “We are at our best when we see each other,” Matt Lole said. “Our best advertisement is just being out and about.” (Erich Bohn)

       “I think it was kind of just the universe unfolding and timing working out really really well for them [The Buccellis] and us,” Matt Lole said. “Tony and Jan had decided to retire and we had been looking for a property to open Ripple for at least six months along 285 and in July the JJ Madwell’s building came on the market and we jumped on it. Tony and Jan were really interested in what we wanted to do there, liked our vision, and selected us.”

     Ripple has several plans for the restaurant following its opening. Plans are in the works to open Ripple Pizza Company, a take-out pizza, and a sub-location inside of the building. Additionally, Ripple is collaborating with Wicked Whisk, a local bakery, to make Ice Cream Sandwiches and other baked goods involving Ice Cream. Ripple has also prepared more than 50 flavors that will be changed and swapped every few days in order to provide customers with fresh choices. In addition to all of this, Ripple is also thinking of opening a stage inside the building where bands can play in order to create an atmosphere that Matt Lole hopes will be friendly and welcoming.

     “Ripple Pizza Company will be opening before the end of the year, while Ripple Ice Cream will open again in April as it will be summertime,” Matt Lole said. “It will have walk-up windows nostalgic of soft serve Ice Cream places that a lot of folks, particularly from the East Coast, might recognize and we want to bring that to Conifer.”

The outside patio of the location prior to its reorganization by Ripple. Following the purchase of the location, the patio is set to become the headquarters of Ripple while the main building undergoes renovations. Ripple plans to move their bus to the patio by the 6th of September at the latest and hopes to remain open on the Patio until the third week of October for the remainder of the warmer days of the year. “Even if you don’t want Ice Cream, that is the best patio in Conifer and we want people to come and enjoy it,” Matt Lole said. “We will have free wi-fi, we will have music, and we will light it up in the evenings.” (Erich Bohn)

      Ripple is also hoping to benefit the community with its opening and operation. Knowing that many were put out of work due to the closing of JJ Madwell’s, Ripple is prioritizing former JJ Madwell’s employees while they are hiring and is also hoping to hire CHS students as well, paying $18 an hour. In addition to this, Ripple is hoping to attract local food trucks to its location by renting out indoor cooking space as well as places to park for up to four different food trucks that will allow Ripple to become a hub for the Conifer community.

“Our goal is to create something truly special for Conifer, and so if people have ideas, suggestions, thoughts, we’re building this business as we go and we want Conifer to feel like they can participate so we’re open to feedback,” Matt Lole said. These suggestions can be sent to his email, [email protected].

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