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 X. Learn more about Pennsylvania’s dairy industry by visiting dced.pa.gov. To stay up-to-date on all Pennsylvania news, follow us on X, 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? ›
In the early 1800s, an early form of a U.S. ice cream parlor was existent in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that sold "all kinds of refreshments, as Ice Cream, Syrups, French Cordials, Cakes, Clarets of the best kind, Jellies, etc." According to one source, the first U.S. ice cream parlor opened in New York City in 1790.
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.
Who is known as the father of the American ice cream industry? ›
Manufacturing ice cream soon became an industry in America, pioneered in 1851 by a Baltimore milk dealer named Jacob Fussell.
Where is the oldest ice cream shop? ›
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 oldest ice cream company in the US? ›
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 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.
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.
Who really invented ice cream? ›
Some sources describe ice cream-like foods as originating in Persia as far back as 550 BC. Using ice houses and ice pools, Persians were able to serve and produce faloodeh and sorbets all year round.
What was the first ice cream parlor in the United States opened in 1776? ›
The first ice cream parlor in America opened in New York City in 1776. American colonists were the first to use the term “ice cream”. The name came from the phrase “iced cream” that was similar to “iced tea”. The name was later abbreviated to “ice cream” the name we know today.
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 makes the most ice cream in the US? ›
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.
Who popularized ice cream in America? ›
Jefferson also likely helped to popularize ice cream in this country when he served it at the President's House in Washington. One of only ten recipes surviving in Thomas Jefferson's hand, the recipe for ice cream most likely dates to his time in France.
What is the oldest ice cream Flavour? ›
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 is a brand of ice cream shops and ice cream franchises. They specialize in ice cream cones, ice cream cups, and ice cream shakes. They have franchises in the United States and many other countries around the world. Häagen-Dazs was created in 1961 by Reuben and Rose Mattus in The Bronx, New York.
When was the first ice cream shop in America? ›
It's a funny coincidence, then, that the country's first ice cream parlor emerged around the same time as the country itself, between 1774 and 1776, when a New York confectioner named Phillip Lenzi started serving the frozen treat at a counter at his sweets shop.
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? ›
Though he didn't invent ice cream—or even introduce it to America— Jefferson is credited with the first-known ice cream recipe recorded by an American. The flavor? Vanilla. But it was Jefferson's enslaved chef, James Hemings, who is thought to have perfected vanilla ice cream.
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.
