Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, the New York-based chain known for its premium hand-dipped dairy and vegan ice cream, is set to grow its presence in the Greater Philadelphia area with plans to open 15 to 20 new locations in the coming years.
Since opening its first parlor in Philadelphia’s Midtown Village in 2021, the company has expanded with stores in Rittenhouse Square, Fishtown, and University City. The brand’s success in the region has exceeded expectations, with its Philadelphia locations outperforming stores in New York and other markets. Notably, summer sales at the Center City stores were up by 10% compared to the previous year, while the newly opened University City location, which debuted in late November, surpassed initial sales projections by 15%.
Ben Van Leeuwen, the company’s CEO, emphasized the growth potential in the Philadelphia market, stating, “There’s still a lot of empty space for us to go all over the country, but especially Philly.”
The next major step in the company’s expansion will be the opening of a large store in Ardmore’s Suburban Square. Scheduled for March, the store will be the largest Van Leeuwen location in the region, spanning 1,600 square feet within the new Coulter Place development. Van Leeuwen highlighted the strategic appeal of Ardmore, noting that its high foot traffic encourages impulse ice cream purchases and makes it an ideal location for the chain’s growth.
While the company has no immediate plans for further openings in the Philadelphia area, it is eyeing the King of Prussia Mall and Princeton, New Jersey, as potential future sites.
Founded in 2008 by Laura O’Neill and brothers Ben and Pete Van Leeuwen, the company has expanded to more than 70 locations across eight states and Washington, D.C. In addition to its ice cream parlors, Van Leeuwen’s products are available in grocery stores nationwide. Starting next year, the company will also introduce chocolate chip cookies to its menu, complementing its popular ice cream sandwiches.
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