‘Bridgeton Is My City’: Raymond Palmer Brings Community, Family Together With Bridgeton Ice Company
Photo courtesy of Raymond Palmer
BY MADISON JOLLEY | AC JosepH Media
BRIDGETON — In the heart of Bridgeton, a new small business is quietly making its mark, one cup of water ice at a time.
For Raymond Palmer, founder of the Bridgeton Ice Company, this new venture represents much more than a seasonal treat. It is a symbol of survival, perseverance, and the desire to build something lasting for his family and community.
Palmer, a lifelong resident of Bridgeton, first dreamed of starting an ice company more than a decade ago. In 2014, after purchasing his first home, he was eager to launch a business that would produce, package, and distribute bagged ice.
His vision was to create jobs for people in his community and provide reliable income for his own family. But that dream was derailed just a few months later when he was involved in a life-threatening car accident.
In July 2014, Palmer was ejected from his vehicle during the car crash, which occurred less than a mile from his new home. The car landed upside down in a body of water. Had he been wearing his seatbelt, he believes he would have drowned.
He sustained multiple injuries including a fractured skull, broken bones, and internal bleeding. The traumatic experience left him struggling with memory loss and speech difficulties that lasted for years.
“The accident changed my life emotionally, physically, and financially,” Palmer told Front Runner New Jersey. “I had to focus on survival. The business plan was put on hold, and eventually, I had to declare bankruptcy.”
Despite the immense challenges, Palmer worked hard to rebuild. He eventually became a production supervisor at a local glass factory, where he met his wife. Together they now raise two young children, ages five and one. Palmer also works full time for the City of Bridgeton as a regulatory compliance officer, a position he was recently promoted into after more than a year of service.
It wasn’t until 2022 that Palmer revisited the idea of starting a business. While discussing his original plan with his uncle, who had once operated a small water ice cart, Palmer saw a new path forward.
If he couldn’t afford to jump straight into bagged ice production, why not start smaller? The idea of a water ice stand seemed both achievable and rooted in family tradition. With the support of his wife and children, he decided to move forward.
By this spring, Bridgeton Ice Company was up and running. Their first event was on Cinco de Mayo, and since then, the family has set up their stand at several community events including a family reunion, a private party, and the Bridgeton splash park.
Their most successful outing so far has been the Juneteenth celebration, where Palmer said they completely sold out.
“The turnout really shocked me, in the best way,” Palmer said. “I didn’t expect that kind of support from my own community, but it meant everything to me.”
Palmer said his ultimate goal is still to produce and distribute bagged ice on a larger scale, but for now, the water ice cart gives him the chance to build a foundation and grow the business step by step.
Startup costs for the cart totaled around $7,000, and ongoing expenses include event permits and equipment maintenance. Palmer currently hauls the tent and supplies in his truck and has plans to finish converting a trailer that will allow the business to expand its reach and operate more efficiently.
He is balancing all of this while working a full-time city job and raising three children, including a 25-year-old son from a previous relationship.
What motivates him most is showing his children, especially his young daughter, what is possible when you stay committed to a goal. At just five years old, she is already learning how the business works by helping at events, talking with customers, and asking questions about revenue.
“She sees the money coming in and thinks we’ve made it,” Palmer said with a laugh.
“She doesn’t know about the money going out for supplies and fees, but this is the beginning of her learning. She’s starting to understand that this is a business, and that you have to invest in it before you see real returns.”
For Palmer, this venture is not just about money or even ownership. It is about representation, legacy, and the ability to establish something meaningful in a city that often lacks investment in Black-owned businesses.
“You look around downtown and you don’t see names like Palmer on the buildings or murals,” he said. “That’s what I want to change. Even if we move away in ten years, I want something here with our name on it. Something my kids can point to and say, ‘That’s ours. My dad built that.’”
Palmer also sees his journey as a message to others who may be feeling discouraged or stuck. He believes in taking pride in one’s work and creating opportunities even when the odds are stacked against you.
“I’ve been without. I’ve been homeless before. But I knew I had to make something of myself and not wait for someone else to give me a shot,” he said. “This is my city. I have a vested interest in it. And if we don’t establish ourselves, nobody else will do it for us.”
Looking ahead, Palmer hopes to participate in at least 10 to 12 more events before the season ends in October. He is committed to reinvesting profits into expanding the business and eventually reaching the original dream that started it all — bulk ice production for the community of Bridgeton.
Until then, he is proud to serve his neighbors one scoop at a time, proving that with faith, family, and focus, it is possible to turn a setback into a legacy.
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