A fifth-generation family business in Philadelphia, Bassetts Ice Cream is proudly known as America’s oldest ice cream company. This full-service frozen dessert distributor exclusively uses Pennsylvania milk in its products, and distributes ice cream around the nation and the world. We spoke to Alex Bassett Strange, an Account Executive at Bassetts Ice Cream who is the sixth generation in his family to join the company.
What does your business specialize in, and who are your clients?
Bassetts Ice Cream got its start back in 1861, when my great-great-great grandfather started making ice cream by mule power in New Jersey. He would take his finished product to the farmers markets in Philadelphia, and due to popular demand, he opened a shop at 5th and Market Streets in 1885. When the Reading Terminal Market opened in 1892, he opened a retail store there, and we’ve been there ever since.
Some things have changed over the years, but the 125-year-old marble countertop remains at this store. We pride ourselves on our rich history and heritage, and the recipe we use for our ice cream today was developed by my great grandfather.
In addition to our store at Reading Terminal Market, we sell to independent dipping parlors, restaurants, country clubs, and retirement communities. We also have an international presence: thanks to a connection made at an international business networking event, we have been selling ice cream in China since 2008.
As of 2017, we started selling our ice cream in Korea. This stemmed from a fellow merchant at Reading Terminal Market sharing that they might have an opportunity to bring Bassetts Ice Cream to Korea. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture connected us with the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED) authorized trade representative in Korea, who helped us launch our business there. DCED’s authorized trade representatives (ATRs) are housed within DCED’s Office of International Business Development and were instrumental in collaborating with Bassetts to review the local rules and regulations in Korea, including its manufacturing facility registration at Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.
What does your company do differently that sets it apart?
Bassetts Ice Cream is a Philadelphia-style ice cream. While most ice creams are made with egg yolk, our ice cream is made without it, which leads to an emphasis on the taste of fresh cream. This style of ice cream also features vanilla bean specks in our vanilla flavor, which sets us apart from other brands.
“With the resources available and the community here [in Philadelphia], we are well-poised to expand into other markets across the country and globe.”
As America’s oldest ice cream company, we have been in business for more than 150 years. While we stay true to the brand’s heritage, we’re also constantly innovating. We are excited to roll out a new pint package later this year. Whether it’s adding digital menus at our storefront or adding new flavors like Pomegranate Blueberry Chocolate Chunk, we carefully consider every change we make to ensure that it will keep the business running for generations to come.
Why are you proud to be a Pennsylvania small business owner?
Our company is PA Preferred, and all of our dairy comes from Pennsylvania farmers. We also have a warehouse in Pennsylvania and ship our products to customers across the state.
Philadelphia is a historic hub for ice cream. Many old school ice cream brands and innovations have come from this city. If you’re in the ice cream industry, Pennsylvania is the place to be. With the resources available and the community here, we are well-poised to expand into other markets across the country and globe.
To learn more about Bassetts Ice Cream, visit bassettsicecream.com and them on Facebook and Twitter. Learn more about Pennsylvania’s dairy industry by visiting dced.pa.gov. To stay up-to-date on all Pennsylvania news, follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.
FAQs
America's Oldest Ice Cream Company Calls Pennsylvania Home. A fifth-generation family business in Philadelphia, Bassetts Ice Cream is proudly known as America's oldest ice cream company.
What was the first ice cream store in us? ›
The first American ice cream parlor opened in New York City 1776.
What is the oldest ice cream franchise? ›
Bassetts Ice Cream is not only delicious, it has a long and proud history as well. America's oldest ice cream brand is a family-owned and operated business that has been making high-quality ice cream with a luxuriously silky mouthfeel since 1861.
Did Philadelphia invent ice cream? ›
Ice cream is complicated. We love it. We didn't invent it in America, but we eat it more than any other nation on earth. We perfected it right here in Philadelphia, and made it available to the masses.
What was the first company to sell ice cream? ›
Jacob Fussell of Baltimore, Maryland was the first to manufacture ice cream on a large scale. Fussell bought fresh dairy products from farmers in York County, Pennsylvania, and sold them in Baltimore.
What ice cream is from Pennsylvania? ›
America's Oldest Ice Cream Company Calls Pennsylvania Home. A fifth-generation family business in Philadelphia, Bassetts Ice Cream is proudly known as America's oldest ice cream company.
What is the oldest ice cream place in the United States? ›
America's oldest ice cream company—established in 1861—Bassetts Ice Cream was the first merchant to sign a lease at the Reading Terminal Market in 1892 and is still owned and operated by the same family today.
Who is the richest ice cream company? ›
In 2023, Ben & Jerry's was the leading ice cream brand in the United States, based on sales of 951 million U.S. dollars. As impressive as the performance of Ben & Jerry's is, private-label products made even more sales. Taken together, these products achieved a sales value of 1.4 billion U.S. dollars.
In what state was the first ice cream factory? ›
1851: Baltimore dairyman Jacob Fussell was athe first person to produce ice cream commercially, opened the first ice cream factory. He had a surplus of cream—so he built an ice cream factory in Seven Valleys, Pennsylvania, and shipped it to Baltimore by train.
What ice cream company was founded in 1940? ›
The first Dairy Queen was owned and operated by Sherb Noble and first opened on June 22, 1940, in Joliet, Illinois.
The origins of ice cream, sorbet and other chilled dairy treats are difficult to pin down—but span back to antiquity. According to popular legend, ice cream was invented by the ancient Chinese, brought to Italy by Marco Polo, to France by Catherine de Medici, and thence to America by Thomas Jefferson.
Who was the black man who made ice cream? ›
Augustus Jackson (April 16, 1808 – January 11, 1852), was an African American businessperson, chef, ice cream maker, and confectioner from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is credited as inventing a modern method of manufacturing ice cream and for new flavor development.
What did Philly invent? ›
Since the 1700s, when Benjamin Franklin developed bifocal eyeglasses, swim fins, the lightning rod, and the Franklin stove, Philadelphia has had a reputation for inventiveness. The city has produced scores of innovations, in fields ranging from manufacturing and medicine to consumer products.
Who brought ice cream to America? ›
Ice cream's origins
But it was British confectioner Philip Lenzi who introduced ice cream to America. In 1774, Lenzi put an ad in the New York Gazette announcing that he would make ice cream available to the masses. It didn't it take long to sweep the (soon-to-be) nation.
What is the most popular ice cream in the world? ›
While vanilla has reigned supreme as the world's favorite ice cream flavor for many years, a new report from the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) shows that it may be at risk of losing that position soon. So what other flavors rounded out the list?
Who is the oldest ice cream manufacturer? ›
Bassetts Ice Cream, 1892
Located in the heart of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Bassetts earns the title of the oldest ice cream parlor in America. The brand's history dates back to 1861 when founder Lewis Dubois Bassett started churning ice cream in his backyard using mule power.
What is the #1 selling ice cream in the United States? ›
With unit sales of approximately 176 million, Ben & Jerry's was the leading brand of ice cream in the United States in 2023. While Ben & Jerry's was the leading brand, private labels sold a total of over 401 million units that year.
What was the first ice cream flavor in America? ›
It appears, from the Wikipedia article, that the first flavors were Rosewater and Grape along with Honey, various Nuts. The first recipes for what we know as Ice Cream date from the early 18th century and are flavored with Lemonade.
What ice cream company was founded in 1961? ›
Häagen-Dazs was created in 1961 by Reuben and Rose Mattus in The Bronx, New York. They opened their first store on November 15, 1976 in Brooklyn.
When did Joes ice cream start? ›
"By 1922 however he was well enough established in Wales to loan his son Joe the money to open a permanent ice cream parlour on St Helen's Road, where we are to this day." Mr Hughes said the only condition of the loan was that Joe did not open on the same street as the family members who had backed him.
