 An Ample Hills store at Jacob Riis Park in New York. | |
| Industry | Ice cream |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2010 |
| Founders | Brian Smith and Jackie Cuscuna |
Key people | Brian Smith and Jackie Cuscuna |
| Website | www |
Ample Hills is an American ice cream company. Founded by Brian Smith and Jackie Cuscuna as a pushcart in 2010, the company became known for its "playful" flavors. Their first storefront, in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, opened in 2011, selling out 130 gallons of ice cream in just 4 days.[1] It soon expanded into a chain prominent in New York City, with additional locations at one point in Disney World and Los Angeles.[2]
The company filed for bankruptcy in March 2020 prior to the COVID-19 pandemic due to operating losses from its Red Hook factory,[3] and other self-described business mistakes.[4] Schmitt Industries acquired Ample Hills from bankruptcy for $1 million.[5] The founders signed a lease to open a new ice cream company and shop, the Social, in March 2021.[6] Due to failure to pay rent and expenses, Schmitt Industries closed all Ample Hills locations on December 19, 2022.[7]
Ample Hills reopened in June 2023, with original owners Brian Smith and Jackie Cuscuna having bought it back after it went into receivership.[8] However, by late 2023, the pair had exited the still-operating company.[9]
References
- ^ Gootman, Elissa (June 2, 2011). "So Successful a New Ice Cream Shop Closes After 4 Days". The New York Times. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
- ^ Kang, Matthew (January 27, 2020). "Ample Hills Creamery closes flagship Los Feliz location after 15 months". Eater LA. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
- ^ Adams, Erika (March 16, 2020). "Popular Ice Cream Chain Ample Hills Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy". Eater NY. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
- ^ Rubin, Courtney (February 5, 2021). "The Shocking Meltdown of Ample Hills — Brooklyn's Hottest Ice Cream Company". Marker. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
- ^ Adams, Erika; Warerkar, Tanay (June 23, 2020). "Ice Cream Chain Ample Hills Acquired by Manufacturing Company for $1M After Bankruptcy". Eater NY. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
- ^ Sytsma, Alan (March 16, 2021). "Ample Hills' Founders Return With a New Shop and a New Focus". New York. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
- ^ "All Ample Hills ice cream shops close indefinitely". January 11, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
- ^ Moskin, Julia (June 16, 2023). "After an Epic Meltdown, Ample Hills Creamery Aims to Rise Again". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
- ^ Moskin, Julia (November 29, 2023). "Ample Hills Founders Are Out of the Business Again". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
Further reading
- Adams, Erika (June 23, 2020). "Ice Cream Chain Ample Hills Acquired by Manufacturing Company for $1M After Bankruptcy". Eater NY. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
- Adams, Erika (April 23, 2020). "Brooklyn Ice Cream Shop Ample Hills Is Auctioning Itself Off to Big Players Like Unilever". Eater NY. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
- Dai, Serena (June 23, 2020). "There Are Two Kinds of People: Those Who Like Van Leeuwen, and Those Who Like Ample Hills". Eater NY. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
- Duggan, Kevin (July 7, 2020). "Founders of Ample Hills Creamery leave business following bankruptcy announcement". amNewYork. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
- Fabricant, Florence (July 31, 2018). "Ample Hills Opens Its Red Hook Factory". The New York Times.
- Fabricant, Florence (July 9, 2018). "Frozen Yogurt With a Twist". The New York Times.
- Gootman, Elissa (June 2, 2011). "So Successful, a New Ice Cream Shop Closes After 4 Days". The New York Times. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
- Hadis, Diego (April 21, 2014). "Brooklyn's Most Beloved Ice Cream Shop Creates a Special Flavor for T". The New York Times.
- Rao, Tejal (August 28, 2017). "In Brooklyn, a Chance to Enjoy Factory-Fresh Ice Cream". The New York Times.
