Leopold's Ice Cream facts for kids
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Leopold's Ice Cream in 2023
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Formerly
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Leopold's Purest Ice Cream |
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| Restaurant | |
| Founded | 1919 (closed in 1969; reopened in 2004) |
| Founders | • George Leopold • Peter Leopold |
| Headquarters | 212 East Broughton Street, Savannah, Georgia, U.S. |
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Number of locations
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2 |
| Owners | • Stratton Leopold • Mary Leopold |
Leopold's Ice Cream is a famous ice cream shop in Savannah, Georgia, United States. Two brothers, George and Peter Leopold, started it in 1919. They came from Greece and moved to Savannah to be close to their sister. The shop was closed by Stratton Leopold, one of the current owners, in 1969. But the family's ice cream tradition continued! Peter and George's younger brother, Basil, kept making ice cream at a different spot in Savannah.
Contents
The Sweet History of Leopold's Ice Cream
How It All Began
Leopold's first ice cream shop was called Leopold's Purest Ice Cream. It was located at the corner of East Gwinnett Street and Habersham Street. This spot was once a fruit stand in the Historic District.
Peter Leopold had just returned from serving in the First World War in France. He was talking to the fruit stand owner, who was also Greek. Peter asked about starting a business there. Soon after, he and his older brother, George, bought the store. Peter and his youngest son, Stratton, lived upstairs. They started selling chocolates, food, and, of course, ice cream. Basil Leopold joined them in 1925.
Making Delicious Ice Cream
The Leopold brothers used a special method called the "French pot process." They learned this from a master candy maker in Indiana. They made ice cream in small batches right in their shop. They used their own recipes and fresh cream, milk, and eggs from local farms.
In 1935, the brothers updated their shop. They made it more modern and started an improved delivery service.
A New Chapter for the Shop
Stratton Leopold took over the business with his mother, Marika, in 1963. This was after his father, Peter, passed away. George, his uncle, had died two years earlier. Stratton closed the shop in 1969. He then moved to Hollywood to become a film producer, director, and actor.
Even though the original shop closed, the ice cream tradition continued. Basil Leopold's Restaurant opened in 1962. It served ice cream and sweet treats across town. After Basil's wife, Pina Leopold, passed away in 1981, she ran the store for another year. Then she sold it and retired.
Leopold's Today
In August 2004, Leopold's moved to its current home. It is now on East Broughton Street in downtown Savannah. People often see a long line of customers waiting outside! Stratton Leopold hired a Hollywood designer, Dan Lomino. He helped recreate the old-fashioned soda fountain from the first store.
The ice cream is still made using the same recipes. These recipes were created by Stratton's father and uncle. The ice cream is made at a special building and brought to the shop.
Leopold's also has a small shop and a full-service location at Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport.
Famous Fans
Leopold's most famous ice cream flavor is tutti frutti. This was a favorite of Savannah's own Johnny Mercer. He worked in the shop when he was ten years old, sweeping floors. Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter loved the butter pecan flavor. Carter even wrote the introduction for a book about the shop's history. The book is called Leopold's Ice Cream: A Century of Tasty Memories, 1919–2019.
The company celebrated its 100th birthday on August 18, 2019. They even held a big party the day before!
Images for kids
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A line outside the store in 2017
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Leopold's Ice Cream, original Savannah location at 720 Habersham Street in 2021
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Gwinnett Street view in 2021
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