Mount Airy’s popular Zsa’s Ice Cream, known for its artisanal, small-batch treats, will shutter its doors in December 2025, owner Danielle Jowdy announced. The decision comes as rising operational costs have made it increasingly difficult to sustain the business without significant expansion, which Jowdy says would compromise the personal touch she values.
Jowdy’s journey into ice cream-making began unexpectedly in 2009 after she was laid off from her job. Armed with a hand-cranked ice cream maker she received as a wedding gift, she turned her hobby into a passion, experimenting with ingredients and techniques. Over the years, she sold her creations at farmers’ markets, local grocery stores, and even through an ice cream truck before opening Zsa’s in 2018.
“I don’t have any formal food training. I don’t have any formal business training. And that’s really where our catchphrase — seriously from scratch — came from,” Jowdy said, reflecting on her hands-on approach to building the business.
Zsa’s quickly gained a loyal following, earning a spot on multiple lists of Philadelphia’s best ice cream shops. However, Jowdy explained that the rising costs of running the business have made it unsustainable without scaling up. While expansion could have been a solution, she feared it would detract from the close attention she gives to her craft and her staff.
“Growing the business would mean sacrificing the personal connection I have with my team and my customers, and that’s not something I’m willing to do,” Jowdy said.
As the community prepares to bid farewell to Zsa’s, Jowdy remains grateful for the support she has received over the years. The shop will continue serving its signature flavors until its final day in December 2025, leaving behind a sweet legacy in Mount Airy.
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