A fifth-generation family business in Philadelphia, Bassetts Ice Cream is proudly known as America’s oldest ice cream company. This full-service frozen dessert distributor exclusively uses Pennsylvania milk in its products, and distributes ice cream around the nation and the world. We spoke to Alex Bassett Strange, an Account Executive at Bassetts Ice Cream who is the sixth generation in his family to join the company.
What does your business specialize in, and who are your clients?
Bassetts Ice Cream got its start back in 1861, when my great-great-great grandfather started making ice cream by mule power in New Jersey. He would take his finished product to the farmers markets in Philadelphia, and due to popular demand, he opened a shop at 5th and Market Streets in 1885. When the Reading Terminal Market opened in 1892, he opened a retail store there, and we’ve been there ever since.
Some things have changed over the years, but the 125-year-old marble countertop remains at this store. We pride ourselves on our rich history and heritage, and the recipe we use for our ice cream today was developed by my great grandfather.
In addition to our store at Reading Terminal Market, we sell to independent dipping parlors, restaurants, country clubs, and retirement communities. We also have an international presence: thanks to a connection made at an international business networking event, we have been selling ice cream in China since 2008.
As of 2017, we started selling our ice cream in Korea. This stemmed from a fellow merchant at Reading Terminal Market sharing that they might have an opportunity to bring Bassetts Ice Cream to Korea. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture connected us with the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED) authorized trade representative in Korea, who helped us launch our business there. DCED’s authorized trade representatives (ATRs) are housed within DCED’s Office of International Business Development and were instrumental in collaborating with Bassetts to review the local rules and regulations in Korea, including its manufacturing facility registration at Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.
What does your company do differently that sets it apart?
Bassetts Ice Cream is a Philadelphia-style ice cream. While most ice creams are made with egg yolk, our ice cream is made without it, which leads to an emphasis on the taste of fresh cream. This style of ice cream also features vanilla bean specks in our vanilla flavor, which sets us apart from other brands.
“With the resources available and the community here [in Philadelphia], we are well-poised to expand into other markets across the country and globe.”
As America’s oldest ice cream company, we have been in business for more than 150 years. While we stay true to the brand’s heritage, we’re also constantly innovating. We are excited to roll out a new pint package later this year. Whether it’s adding digital menus at our storefront or adding new flavors like Pomegranate Blueberry Chocolate Chunk, we carefully consider every change we make to ensure that it will keep the business running for generations to come.
Why are you proud to be a Pennsylvania small business owner?
Our company is PA Preferred, and all of our dairy comes from Pennsylvania farmers. We also have a warehouse in Pennsylvania and ship our products to customers across the state.
Philadelphia is a historic hub for ice cream. Many old school ice cream brands and innovations have come from this city. If you’re in the ice cream industry, Pennsylvania is the place to be. With the resources available and the community here, we are well-poised to expand into other markets across the country and globe.
To learn more about Bassetts Ice Cream, visit bassettsicecream.com and them on Facebook and Twitter. Learn more about Pennsylvania’s dairy industry by visiting dced.pa.gov. To stay up-to-date on all Pennsylvania news, follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.
I'm an enthusiast with a profound understanding of the ice cream industry, particularly focusing on Bassetts Ice Cream, America's oldest ice cream company. My expertise in this domain stems from an in-depth knowledge of the company's history, practices, and the broader ice cream market. Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the provided article:
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Bassetts Ice Cream Background:
- Bassetts Ice Cream is a fifth-generation family business established in 1861 in Philadelphia.
- It is renowned as America's oldest ice cream company.
- The company exclusively uses Pennsylvania milk in its ice cream products.
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Interview with Alex Bassett Strange:
- Alex Bassett Strange is the sixth generation of the Bassetts family involved in the business.
- The company has a rich history, starting from making ice cream by mule power in New Jersey.
- The first shop was opened at 5th and Market Streets in 1885, and later, a retail store at Reading Terminal Market in 1892.
- The Reading Terminal Market store maintains a 125-year-old marble countertop.
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Clientele and Distribution:
- Bassetts Ice Cream sells its products at Reading Terminal Market and also supplies to independent dipping parlors, restaurants, country clubs, and retirement communities.
- The company has an international presence, selling ice cream in China since 2008 and in Korea since 2017.
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International Expansion and Partnerships:
- The international expansion to Korea was facilitated through connections made at business networking events.
- The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development played a vital role in launching the business in Korea.
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Differentiating Factor:
- Bassetts Ice Cream is a Philadelphia-style ice cream, made without egg yolk, emphasizing the taste of fresh cream.
- The ice cream features vanilla bean specks in the vanilla flavor, distinguishing it from other brands.
- The company emphasizes constant innovation, introducing new flavors like Pomegranate Blueberry Chocolate Chunk and planning to launch a new pint package.
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Proud Pennsylvania Small Business Owner:
- Bassetts Ice Cream is PA Preferred, sourcing all dairy from Pennsylvania farmers.
- The company has a warehouse in Pennsylvania, and its products are shipped to customers across the state.
- Philadelphia is highlighted as a historic hub for ice cream, making it an ideal location for ice cream businesses to thrive.
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Future Plans and Innovation:
- The company expresses pride in its heritage while embracing innovation, such as the upcoming new pint package.
- Bassetts Ice Cream is committed to carefully considering changes to ensure the business's sustainability for future generations.
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Community and Resources in Philadelphia:
- Philadelphia is emphasized as a significant resource hub for the ice cream industry.
- The available resources and community support in Philadelphia position the company for potential expansion into other markets nationally and globally.
To stay informed about Bassetts Ice Cream, you can visit their website at and follow them on and . For more information about Pennsylvania's dairy industry, you can visit .
