Van Leeuwen’s variety of pints
One of New York City’s most successful local scoop shops is on the cusp of opening its 50th location.
Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, the New York born and nationally beloved brand, will be opening its newest shop on Thursday, August 24. A Times Square ice cream shop at 712 Seventh Ave. will open at noon, offering 50% off all scoops until 2 p.m. at the new location.
To celebrate the 50th milestone, Van Leeuwen teamed up with world-renowned chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten on an exclusive ice cream flavor, as its also his 50th year of cooking professionally.
Van Leeuwen’s new Sour Cherry Creamsicle flavor was inspired by Jean-Georges’ early culinary days: One of the first things he ever made, as part of an apprenticeship at Auberge de I’lll in France in 1973, was sour cherry sorbet.
“I am thrilled to partner with Van Leeuwen to create an ice cream to help mark 50 years of cooking and to celebrate their 50th scoop shop opening. When I was growing up in Alsace, sour cherries became a staple of my summertime diet. When I started my first apprenticeship at Auberge de L’ill, one of the first things I ever learned how to make was sour cherry sorbet,” said Chef Vongerichten. “I remember cracking the cherry pit and infusing it in the cherry juice, creating a light bitter almond taste. The tart yet sweet cherries pair perfectly with vanilla ice cream. This flavor is a celebration of my journey – from my first step in the kitchen full circle to now – and a nod to the future to continue to educate, learn and grow.”
The base of the ice cream is Van Leeuwen’s signature Vanilla Bean, which is swirled with a tart and refreshing sorbet made with morello cherries, to create a dreamy Sour Cherry Creamsicle. The flavor will launch exclusively at the Times Square location on opening day and will roll out to all scoop shops across the country in the following weeks.
“It’s been a dream to open a location in Times Square, so for this scoop shop to be our 50th store is really special,” said Van Leeuwen co-founder Laura O’Neill. “We celebrated fifteen years of Van Leeuwen this summer, and it really feels like the cherry on top to be opening in New York City’s iconic Times Square.”
Van Leeuwen’s ice cream is available in dairy and vegan varieties
Jean-Georges will join co-founders Ben and Pete Van Leeuwen, and O’Neill for an opening day ribbon cutting ceremony.In addition, Van Leeuwen will offer a limited-time topping: cheesecake bites by Times Square neighbor, the iconic Junior’s Restaurant & Bakery. The first 100 customers will receive an exclusive Van Leeuwen tote bag, featuring a brand new New York City design.
Following opening day, Van Leeuwen’s Times Square location will be open daily from 11am-1am. Another Van Leeuwen is slated to open in Midtown Manhattan, at 50th St. and Second Ave., later this year.
