Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, a Brooklyn-based company renowned for its specialty and vegan offerings, plans to significantly expand its presence in the Greater Philadelphia area, starting with a new location in Ardmore slated to open in March. The company aims to increase its regional footprint from four stores to as many as 20 in the coming years.
“There’s still a lot of empty space for us to go all over the country, but especially Philly,” said Ben Van Leeuwen, CEO of the ice cream brand.
The Ardmore shop will be located in the Suburban Square retail center, occupying a 1,600-square-foot space previously home to dessert maker Kilwins. Positioned between Starbucks and clothing retailer Madewell, the store will feature seating for 15 to 20 customers. Once operational, it will become the largest Van Leeuwen location in the Philadelphia market.
Van Leeuwen revealed that Ardmore has been on the company’s radar since the brand entered the Philadelphia region in 2021. Suburban Square was chosen for its high foot traffic, aligning with the company’s strategy of targeting bustling retail centers.
This expansion is part of a broader push by Van Leeuwen Ice Cream to grow its national presence while solidifying its foothold in key markets like Philadelphia.