Philadelphia’s beloved Bassetts Ice Cream — considered the oldest continuously operating ice cream company in the United States — continues to serve generations of customers, writes Nikki DeMentri and Tom Gardiner for CBS News Philadelphia.
Founded in 1861 by Lewis Dubois Bassett, the company first began making ice cream on a New Jersey farm using a mule-powered churn before bringing the frozen treats into Philadelphia by horse and buggy.
More than 160 years later, that same recipe is being served across a marble counter at Reading Terminal Market — where Bassetts holds another remarkable title as the last original merchant still operating inside the historic market.
What keeps a 164-year-old ice cream company relevant?
According to sixth-generation family member Alex Bassett Strange, who now helps lead the company, it comes down to stewardship.
“Each generation that works in it is really a steward of the brand and the recipe,” Strange said.
That recipe is distinctly Philadelphian — a rich, high-butterfat formula that skips egg yolks for a texture that’s indulgent, but lighter than the custard-based styles popular elsewhere.
Nearly 40 flavors now line the menu, from timeless classics like vanilla and butter pecan to modern additions like matcha green tea and mango. The range reflects changing tastes without abandoning the foundation that built the brand.
For more on the iconic Philadelphia ice cream company, read the full story at CBS News Philadelphia.
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