The Northampton store, which opened in 1980, is the first named Herrell's. But owner Steve Herrell has been in the ice cream business since 1973 when he opened Steve's Ice Cream in Somerville, Massachusetts. Steve's went on to become a national brand after Herrell sold the business in 1977. The Herrell's store has now expanded back into the Boston area, with franchise stores in Allston, Cambridge, on Newbury St. and in Longwood Galleria in Boston. Herrell recognized the need for better ice cream.
Overrun refers to the amount of air that's stirred into the ice cream as it freezes.
To reduce overrun, Herrell slowed the motor on his first ice cream maker. Because it spins slower, less air is whipped in. Since Herrell's change, manufacturers have started selling ice cream makers that operate at a slower speed. With less air, the ice cream is denser and each bite has more substance. It takes longer to melt and stays in your mouth longer.