Last April, Dave and Andy’s Homemade Ice Cream parlor, a beloved staple in Oakland, announced that it would close its doors for good on April 28. After 40 years of serving the Pittsburgh community, co-owner Andy decided to retire, prompting a wave of support from loyal customers in the final days of operation.
Lines stretched around the block as people flocked to the store for one last scoop. For many, the closure came as a surprise and marked the end of an era. However, over the summer, the parlor found new life when it was taken over by the Kasten family, who reopened the business in September.
Sarah Kasten, a University of Pittsburgh junior studying media and professional communications, sat down with the Tartan to share her experience reopening Dave and Andy’s with her family.
“We’re family friends with the original owners,” Kasten explained. “My uncle worked at the store during college and became close friends with Andy. After it closed, there were conversations about us taking it over, and we feel really lucky that Andy and Joe trusted us to continue their legacy. It wasn’t exactly planned, but it all worked out, and things have been going great so far.”
Renovations to the store began in July, with the primary change being a fresh coat of paint. Aside from that, the Kasten family has worked hard to preserve the essence of Dave and Andy’s by learning the original recipes from three former employees who helped them transition into the business.
“We’ve been really fortunate,” Kasten said. “It’s just me, my mom, and my dad running the shop, and while we were already close, this experience has brought us even closer. We work really well together, and that’s been a blessing.”
The Kasten family, who hails from Pittsburgh, had a personal connection to the parlor even before taking over. “My parents had their first date at the store, so when they heard about it closing, it was sad and shocking. None of us saw it coming,” Kasten added.
Throughout the process of preparing to reopen, the community’s support was evident. “People would stop by all the time asking how they could help and when we’d be opening again. It was incredibly reassuring to know that we had the backing of the Pitt and Oakland communities. Everyone’s been so supportive, and we couldn’t have done it without them.”
Kasten, who is balancing schoolwork with running the shop, acknowledged the challenge of managing both. “It’s tough because the shop feels like your baby. Even when I’m not there, I’m thinking about it. As soon as I’m done with classes or homework, I head over to the store.”
One of the highlights for Kasten has been meeting regular customers and hearing their stories. “Everyone has a story about this place,” she said. “I’ve met people who had their first date here, met their spouse here, or have been coming since they were kids. It’s been exciting to hear those stories and meet so many new people. Learning what this place means to them has been amazing.”
With the legacy of Dave and Andy’s in trusted hands, the Kasten family is determined to honor the shop’s rich history while serving new generations of Pittsburgh ice cream lovers.
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