Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory |
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The original Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory in 2004
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| Restaurant information | |
| Established | 2001 |
| Current owner(s) | Mark Thompson |
| Street address | 1 Water Street (Original) 14 Old Fulton Street (Current) |
| City | Brooklyn |
| County | Kings County |
| State | New York |
| Postal/ZIP code | 11201 |
| Country | United States |
| Coordinates | 40°42′10″N 73°59′40″W / 40.70272°N 73.99450°W |
The Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory is a famous ice cream shop in Brooklyn, New York City. For many years, it was located in a special building: a fireboat house from 1922. This spot was right on the Fulton Ferry Landing Pier, near the famous Brooklyn Bridge.
The shop had to move a couple of times. In 2019, another ice cream store called Ample Hills opened in the old fireboat house. Later, in 2023, a different shop named Van Leeuwen Ice Cream took over the space. But the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory didn't close down. It moved to a new spot in the Greenpoint neighborhood for a while. Then, in March 2021, it opened a new shop right across the street from its original home.
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History of the Shop
Mark Thompson opened the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory in 2001. This was a challenging time for New York City, as it was shortly after the September 11 attacks. The shop quickly became a beloved local spot.
A Special Location
The original shop was in a historic fireboat house on the Fulton Ferry landing. This was the oldest ferry landing in Brooklyn. In the past, firefighters used the building to practice their skills. Being so close to the water and the Brooklyn Bridge made it a very popular place for both New Yorkers and tourists to visit.
In 2019, the shop had to leave its famous fireboat house. It moved to a temporary location in Greenpoint, another neighborhood in Brooklyn. This allowed the business to keep serving its loyal customers while it looked for a new permanent home.
A New Beginning
On March 10, 2021, the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory celebrated its grand reopening. It moved into a new building at 14 Old Fulton Street. This new location is just across the street from its original spot, allowing it to stay in the neighborhood its fans know and love.
What Makes the Ice Cream Special?
The shop is known for making fresh, old-fashioned ice cream. They make everything, including their popular hot fudge sauce, right in the store.
Simple and Fresh Ingredients
The ice cream recipe is a classic one. It has less butterfat than many modern ice creams and is made without eggs. This makes it lighter and very creamy. The shop focuses on making small batches of just eight flavors to make sure everything is as fresh as possible. Some of their classic flavors include chocolate, vanilla, butter pecan, and strawberry. They also state that they do not use any preservatives in their ice cream.
A writer for The New York Times once described the ice cream as "creamy, ethereally light and perfectly balanced." This means it felt very light and smooth, with a perfect taste.
An Eating Contest
In June 2006, the shop hosted an ice cream eating contest. A 20-year-old culinary student named Patrick Bertoletti won by eating 1.75 gallons of vanilla ice cream in just eight minutes! He set a new record and won a $2,000 prize.
Awards and Praise
Many people think the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory has amazing ice cream.
- The book New York City for Dummies called it "the best ice cream in New York."
- The The Sunday Times newspaper and the Frommer's New York City 2011 travel guide agreed.
- Even politicians have their favorites. Fernando Ferrer, who used to be the president of the Bronx borough, said he loves the shop's French vanilla ice cream.
