Beijing will expand the potential customer base
Tapping a growing middle class
Zhou believes now is a good time to open this type of store in Beijing, as millions of Chinese move from poverty to a growing middle class, including their children.
"There are lots of what we call the new dynasty kids, because they're the only child at home and they have the better standard of living," Zhou explained.
He isn't the only one who sees an opportunity.
Jackie McIntyre, Cows chief executive officer, was in Beijing this week for the opening of the new store.
'It means more jobs. It's great exposure for P.E.I.'—Cows CEO Jackie McIntyre
All of the ice cream will be made in P.E.I., including the 12,000 tubs that were made this summer and shipped to Beijing.
"It means more jobs. It's great exposure for P.E.I. to be in China, for the people to learn more about Prince Edward Island," McIntyre said.
P.E.I. Premier Robert Ghiz said the sheer number of people in Beijing will expand the potential customer base for Cows.
"A block here in China, in Beijing, is probably the size of Prince Edward Island.
"They've got more cities over five million people, we've never even heard of," Ghiz said.
Ghiz adds that if the ice cream is successful it could help exports of other P.E.I. food products, including oysters, mussels and, of course, potatoes.