From Staff Reports

 Ben & Jerry’s in late August opened its first ice cream scoop shop in downtown Asheville, at 19 Haywood St., next to the Urban Outfitters.

Its opening marks the latest chain to move into the  relatively chain-free downtown area that has long touted its locally owned, independent businesses. 

The downtown Asheville location is owned by franchisee Julie Williams, who lives in Waynesville and has two other Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shops — in Sevierville and Gatlinburg, Tenn.