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This is Fred Ball for Zions Bank, speaking on business.
When Oxford, England is brought up in a conversation, my mind tends to instantly think of tea, antique books and intellectuals pushing spectacles up their noses. Now I can add to my Oxford impression an irresistible urge for a "milk chocolate chunk" from Ben's Cookies, a cookie store making its debut in the U.S., right here in Utah. In fact, a new store will open at the Gateway in Salt Lake City tomorrow.
Ben's Cookies was established in 1983 in Oxford and now has seven stores throughout England. Fortunately, for the benefit of Utahns, Joel Clark from Salt Lake City pursued an MBA at Oxford and discovered the mouth-watering "biscuit," as the English would say. Joel and his classmates quickly became "regulars" at Ben's after their exams, feeling the cookies were a well-deserved reward. But keep in mind, the students still were dressed in their academic gowns, required when taking exams at Oxford, trying not to spill the imported Belgian chocolates on their intellectual attire.
Simply put, it was a cookie Joel couldn't leave behind. Before graduating, he contacted Chris Moffat, owner of Ben's Cookies, and asked Chris if he wouldn't consider allowing Joel to open a Ben's Cookies in Utah. Chris told Joel that he turned down at least one such request every week. But something about Joel's enthusiasm, something about his determination, something about his passion for the milk chocolate chunk, must have won Chris over.
After a trip to the States, Chris gave Joel the go-ahead and Ben's Cookies finally opened in Orem at the University Mall.
Ben's Cookies are made only from the finest ingredients. I found out that the cookies are baked in special ovens imported from Britain. These ovens leave the cookies crisp on the outside and soft and moist on the inside. Believe me, I tried them. I am intellectually inclined to say that Ben's Cookies are uncommonly good.
For Zion's Bank, I'm Fred Ball. I'm speaking on business.
