ASBURY PARK, N.J. — Milk Sugar Love Creamery & Bakeshop, one of New Jersey’s most celebrated ice cream parlors, is set to expand its footprint to the Jersey Shore this summer. The beloved shop, known for its inventive flavors and artisanal treats, will open a new location at 1319 Memorial Dr. in Asbury Park, marking its second outpost in the Garden State.
Owner Emma Taylor confirmed the expansion, noting that the Asbury Park location will be approximately three times larger than the flagship shop in Jersey City. The new space will feature an expanded production kitchen, a walk-up ordering window, and indoor seating designed to evoke an “old-school soda shop feel.” While an exact opening date has yet to be finalized, Taylor anticipates welcoming customers by early June.
“I’m working on building the kitchen of my dreams where I can finally have the space to produce at volume,” Taylor told NJ Advance Media.
The Asbury Park location will showcase an enhanced menu, including fan-favorite items like soft-serve ice cream and a variety of ice cream sandwiches made with brownies, French macarons, cookie dough, and babka. The shop will also continue to offer its signature unique flavors, such as guava cream cheese, lemon olive oil, earl grey fudge, and summer corn and blueberries.
Since its humble beginnings as a handcart in 2014, Milk Sugar Love has grown into a cornerstone of New Jersey’s ice cream scene. Taylor’s journey from selling at local farmers markets to earning the No. 2 spot on NJ.com’s 2024 ranking of the state’s best ice cream shops reflects the brand’s dedication to quality and creativity.
The new location will also introduce specialty drinks like affogatos and cold brew floats, alongside house-made ice cream by the scoop, ice cream cakes, and baked goods. Taylor expressed excitement about joining Asbury Park’s vibrant food scene, which she described as a “tight-knit small business community with a burgeoning food scene.”
“I moved down there about two and a half years ago, and I’m just obsessed with the community and the incredible food culture,” Taylor said. “There’s such great food and new things opening all the time.”
The expansion also opens the door to collaborations with other local businesses. One such partnership is already underway with Berg’s Smoked Meat in Belmar, resulting in a new flavor, Berg’s Caraway Crunch, set to debut on Jan. 25.
Looking ahead, Taylor hopes to continue growing Milk Sugar Love’s presence across New Jersey, with Hoboken as a potential next target.
“As a Jersey girl, I would like nothing better than for Milk Sugar Love to be New Jersey’s favorite ice cream and to have a presence in more cities,” Taylor said.
For now, Asbury Park residents and visitors can look forward to indulging in Milk Sugar Love’s one-of-a-kind creations come summer.
Milk Sugar Love Creamery & Bakeshop is located at 1319 Memorial Dr., Asbury Park, NJ. Follow their updates on social media for the latest news on the grand opening.
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