Bassetts Ice Cream: Philadelphia’s Enduring Legacy of Sweetness
Discover how Bassetts Ice Cream became America's oldest ice cream brand, renowned for tradition, quality, and family heritage for over 160 years.
Bassetts Ice Cream: A Philadelphia Icon and America’s Oldest Scoop Shop
Bassetts Ice Cream holds a singular place in American food history. As America’s oldest ice cream company, it traces its lineage back to 1861, remaining family-owned and operated through six generations. Visitors to Philadelphia’s famed Reading Terminal Market find more than a sweet treat—they experience a living piece of culinary heritage, a company that has weathered wars, depressions, technological revolutions, and shifting tastes, all while churning out classic and inventive flavors for locals and global fans alike.
The Historical Journey: From Salem, New Jersey to Philadelphia
The story of Bassetts begins with Lewis Dubois Bassett, a schoolteacher-turned-dairy farmer who began crafting ice cream in his Salem, New Jersey backyard in 1861. Early batches were churned using mule-power and hand-cranked freezers, mixed with salt and ice—a labor-intensive process predating modern refrigeration.
- 1861: Lewis Dubois Bassett starts ice cream production.
- 1892/1893: The first retail shop opens and is the inaugural merchant in the newly built Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia.
- Present Day: Bassetts remains the last original tenant in the Market.
This physical and generational continuity has made the shop an enduring landmark and a symbol of Philadelphia’s food culture.
Family Legacy: Six Generations of Quality and Tradition
Bassetts is more than a company; it is a multi-generational family legacy. Through six generations, family members have led and worked in the business, passing down recipes, values, and traditions. Stories abound of siblings and cousins learning to scoop perfectly at the counter, absorbing wisdom from elders about ingredient selection and customer care. As current owner Michael Strange puts it, “It’s not often that a business will last as long as ours has. It’s an amazing sense of pride.”
- Founder: Lewis Dubois Bassett
- Current Management: Michael Strange and two sixth-generation family members
- Longevity: Over 160 years in business
Reading Terminal Market: Philadelphia’s Sweet Landmark
The Reading Terminal Market location is central to Bassetts’ identity. Since signing the first lease in 1892, Bassetts has been a constant, even as other businesses shifted or shuttered.
- Historic Details: Visitors can still enjoy ice cream at the original 125-year-old marble counter.
- Cultural Experience: The shop’s hand-painted mural, historical video footage, and welcoming atmosphere make it a destination for locals and tourists alike.
- Connections: Customers can order cones, cups, sundaes, or milkshakes, and pay with various methods (cash, cards, gift cards).
Craftsmanship and Innovation: The Secret to Longevity
Bassetts’ survival through times of war, depression, and shifting ice cream trends is rooted in its careful balance of tradition and innovation. Early flavors like green tomato have yielded to mainstream classics and adventurous modern varieties, always crafted with the highest-quality ingredients.
- Classic Favorites: Vanilla (made using Madagascar bourbon vanilla beans for over 100 years), chocolate, and strawberry remain staples.
- Creative Editions: Bassetts adapts to changing tastes, offering new flavors such as salted caramel pretzel, cinnamon, and matcha green tea.
- History-Making Recipes: The company famously produced borscht-flavored ice cream for Soviet premier Nikita Khrushchev.
The recipe’s most important feature is its emphasis on rich, locally sourced cream and milk from western Pennsylvania, ensuring a silky, premium mouthfeel.
Global Reach: From Pennsylvania to the World
Despite its deep Philadelphia roots, Bassetts has grown far beyond Pennsylvania:
- Worldwide Distribution: Bassetts ice cream is available in grocery stores and shops globally, including countries in Asia.
- International Expansion: The brand’s quality is recognized overseas, drawing acclaim from visitors such as tourists from Sri Lanka—testament to the universal appeal of its recipes.
This expansion has not diluted the company’s core traditions, as it continues to operate with the same commitment to flavor, quality, and family heritage.
Flavor Exploration: Classics, Seasonal, and Signature Varieties
| Flavor Category | Popular Flavors | Unique Offerings |
|---|---|---|
| Classic | Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry | Madagascar bourbon vanilla blend |
| Modern | Cookies and Cream, Mint Chocolate Chip | Salted Caramel Pretzel, Cinnamon |
| Adventurous | Matcha Green Tea | Borscht (special order) |
The company currently produces nearly 40 distinct flavors, all crafted and tested for excellence in their Johnstown, PA facility.
- Ingredient Integrity: Use of real whiskey in Irish Coffee flavor and Gertrude Hawk chocolates for Raspberry Truffle enhances authenticity.
- Local Sourcing: Dairy is sourced from Pennsylvania farmer co-ops, ensuring freshness and supporting local agriculture.
Customer Experience: Nostalgia Meets Modern-Day Delights
The Bassetts counter at Reading Terminal Market hosts a daily parade of customers both local and international. The draw is not just nostalgia but genuine quality and service.
- Atmosphere: The historic marble counter, historic video clips, and colorful murals evoke a sense of old-world charm.
- Service: Customers can enjoy single scoops, sundaes, pints, milkshakes, and more, with staff upholding Bassetts’ high standard for portion and presentation.
- Global Reception: Tourists and food critics consistently rank Bassetts among the top ice cream destinations in America.
Timeline: Key Milestones of Bassetts Ice Cream
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1861 | Bassets begins churning ice cream in Salem, NJ |
| 1892 | First retail shop opens in Philadelphia’s Reading Terminal Market |
| Great Depression | Bassetts withstands economic turmoil |
| World Wars | Continued operation through global conflict |
| 1977 | Bassetts incorporated as an official company |
| Present | Bassetts is the last original merchant in Reading Terminal Market; global distribution begins |
Preserving Heritage: Bassetts in Modern Philadelphia
Bassetts’ persistence is something of a marvel, especially in Philadelphia, where few businesses have lasted as long under the same family stewardship. Generations of customers have childhood memories tied to the shop—they return to introduce new generations to the same marble counter, iconic murals, and flavor-packed scoops.
- Cultural Landmark: Bassetts is noted as a Philadelphia must-visit, ranking on lists of historical food establishments nationally.
- Adaptability: Despite global expansion and flavor experimentation, its core business model and customer service philosophy remain unchanged.
- Community Ties: Bassetts supports local farmers, contributes to city lore, and serves as a venue for celebrations, family outings, and informal gatherings.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: When was Bassetts Ice Cream founded?
A: Bassetts Ice Cream was founded in 1861 by Lewis Dubois Bassett in Salem, New Jersey, making it America’s oldest ice cream company.
Q: Where is Bassetts Ice Cream located?
A: Its flagship store is located in Philadelphia’s Reading Terminal Market, where it’s been serving ice cream since 1892.
Q: How many flavors does Bassetts offer?
A: Bassetts currently offers nearly 40 flavors, ranging from traditional vanilla and chocolate to adventurous options like matcha green tea and cinnamon.
Q: Is Bassetts still family-owned?
A: Yes, it remains fully family-owned, now into its sixth generation.
Q: What makes Bassetts Ice Cream unique?
- Historic marble counter and murals
- Recipes handed down through generations
- Use of premium, locally sourced ingredients
- Status as the oldest ice cream parlor in America
What Visitors Say: Voices from the Counter
Guests visiting Bassetts often express delight at the intersection of history and abundance of flavor. A tourist from Sri Lanka stated, “One of the best ice creams I’ve ever had. And to know this is still being run by the same family, and the same recipe, that’s just fantastic”. Chefs in the region are proud to serve Bassetts in their restaurants due to the consistent high-quality ingredients.
Visiting Bassetts: Essential Information
- Location: Reading Terminal Market, Philadelphia, PA
- Operating Hours: Open daily, 9 AM to 6 PM
- Payment Methods: Cash, Credit Cards, RTM Gift Cards
- Experience: Order in person at the counter, savor the historic surroundings, and choose among a diverse menu including cones, sundaes, and pints.
The Flavor of History: Why Bassetts Matter
Bassetts Ice Cream represents more than just a scoop of vanilla. It’s a living legacy: connecting generations, shaping Philadelphia’s history, and bringing communities together through the shared joy of great ice cream. For over 160 years, Bassetts has illustrated how family, tradition, and innovation can blend harmoniously, turning a simple American comfort food into a global symbol of quality and heritage.
