Van Leeuwen Ice Cream Plans Expansion in Ardmore, Greater Philadelphia Region

Van Leeuwen Ice Cream has been making its cool, creamy mark on Philadelphians for the last three years. Now the company says it plans to expand to 15 to 20 stores in the Greater Philadelphia region over the next several years.

The New York-based ice cream company, founded in 2008 by Laura O'Neill and brothers Ben and Pete Van Leeuwen, creates hand-dipped dairy and vegan ice cream, along with ice cream sandwiches. 

Van Leeuwen Ice Cream opened its first ice cream parlor in Philadelphia's Midtown Village in 2021. Since then, the ice cream company has added locations in Rittenhouse Square, Fishtown, and University City. 

According to a statement from CEO Ben Van Leeuwen in the Philadelphia Business Journal, the company's Philadelphia ice cream parlors have been outperforming shops in New York City and other markets. For example, its new University City location beat the company's initial sales forecast by nearly 15%. 

"There's still a lot of empty space for us to go all over the country, but especially Philly," Van Leeuwen told the Business Journal.

The company plans to open a 1,600-square-foot storefront in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, at Suburban Square's new Coulter Place development in March 2025. When opened, Van Leeuwen Ice Cream will join six other shops set to open there in 2025.

While no immediate plans exist to add additional locations in the Philadelphia region, Van Leeuwen Ice Cream is eyeing the King of Prussia Mall and Princeton, New Jersey, as potential future venues. In addition to its stores in the Greater Philadelphia region, Van Leeuwen Ice Cream operates in eight states and the District of Columbia. The company's ice cream is also available in grocery outlets nationwide.

Experience the rite of passage that is the ice cream sundae. Regular ice cream is good, but it's better with the fixins'.

There's nothing like scoops of ice cream, covered in melted chocolate, chopped nuts, and fluffy whipped cream. Or bright red cherries, gooey marshmallow sauce, and split bananas. Or colorful sprinkles, peanut butter sauce, and warm brownie pieces. You get the point.

An ice cream sundae is regular ice cream but elevated. You can be a traditionalist and get a banana split, or you can put everything you want and make a monster sundae of your own. Whatever you choose, it's a sundae, so you're fine. It's ice cream's more fun cousin.

There are many stories about the origin of the sundae. It is actually a highly debated topic. Some say it comes from Wisconsin. Others say New York or Illinois. In all honesty, it doesn't matter. Unless you want to find and personally thank the genius that thought to put all kinds of bits and bobs atop cold, velvety scoops of ice cream.

We in Philadelphia and its surrounding areas have tons of places to go get this delicious treat.

The Sugaree in Newtown square has specialty and make-your-own sundaes. There's nothing like a delicious sundae to treat yourself with. This place also doubles as a candy store, so you can really get ALL the fixings you'd possibly want.

The Franklin Fountain is as classic as classic gets in Philadelphia. Situated in Old City, this shop serves ice cream the vintage way. Their banana split sundae is deeply rooted in history.

Vanderwende's has many locations, including Philadelphia and Dewey Beach, Delaware. They are also mobile, because they own ice cream trucks! They have some decadent sundae options that will surely curb your sweet tooth.

This sundaes are out of this world. D'Emilio's Old World Ice Treats in Philadelphia serves some pretty fancy specialty sundaes. Each dish is prepared by the owner so he can better make what he wants the ice cream to be. The vibe inside is like a 1950s ice cream parlor. You can sit in style while eating your sundae!

This is an ice cream joint on a college campus, but boy is it good. Made with the milk from the University of Delaware's OWN cows, UDairy ice cream packs a punch. Their unique ice cream flavors can be upgraded to make an ultimate sundae. Try the brownie sundae, you won't regret it.

This ice cream shop in Cherry Hill is a great stop. They've been serving the Cherry hill community for over 25 years, and their sundaes are as classic as they are.

I mean...it literally is their name. SUNDAES! Sundaes the Ice Cream Place has locations in Point Pleasant, Manasquan, Toms River, and Aberdeen. They have all kinds of specialty sundaes that will definitely tickle your fancy. A cannoli ice cream sundae? Sign me up!