A fifth-generation family business and a Philadelphia tradition since 1861, Bassetts Ice Cream Company is a full-service frozen dessert distributor, offering outstanding products and superior service.
History
1861 — Lewis Dubois Bassett, a Quaker school teacher and farmer, begins making ice cream in his Salem, NJ backyard using a mule-turned churn.
1885 — L.D. begins selling his ice cream from a location at 5th & Market Streets in Philadelphia.
1893 — The Reading Terminal Market opens; Bassetts Ice Cream opens a retail store and moves production into the basement.
1906 — Lewis Lafayette continues operations after the death of his father.
1917 — L.L. dies; his wife, Louise Austin Bassett, assumes management until her son is ready to take over.
1925 — Lewis Lafayette, Jr., the third generation, takes over management of the ice cream store and production at the age of 21.
1935 — L.L., Jr. ships 10 quarts of ice cream, packed in dry ice, via freighter from New York through the Panama Canal to the American Embassy in Tokyo. The voyage takes several weeks but the ice cream arrives in perfect condition.
1959 — L.L., Jr. produces 50 tubs of borscht sherbet for Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev.
1961 — Bassetts celebrates its 100th Anniversary.
1973 — Production is moved to 20th & Fairmount Streets in Philadelphia.
1974 — Ann Bassett, great granddaughter of the founder and daughter of L.L., Jr., joins the company.
1975 — Bassetts begins the largest expansion in the company’s 114-year history.
1976 — Ann Bassett is named President after L.L., Jr. retires after 51 years.
1983 — Michael Strange, great-great grandson of the founder, enters the family business.
1986 — L.L., Jr. dies at the age of 82.
1989 — Michael is named President; Ann is CEO.
1996 — Bassetts introduces the Bassetts Ice Cream Sandwich.
2000 — Bassetts introduces website.
2006 — Bassetts celebrates 145 - year anniversary!
2007 — Michael becomes CEO when Ann retires after 33 years.
Flavor, sorted by popularity
Flavors in Order of Popularity:
1. Vanilla
2. French Vanilla
3. Chocolate
4. Mint Chocolate Chip
5. Coffee
6. Strawberry
7. Raspberry Sorbet
8. Cookies & Cream
9. Raspberry Truffle
10. Cinnamon
11. Banana
12. Pistachio
13. Lemon Sorbet
14. Butterscotch Vanilla
15. Moose Tracks
16. Peanut Butter Swirl
17. Butter Pecan
18. Double Chocolate
19. Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
20. Dark Chocolate Chip
21. Mango/Apricot Sorbet
22. Rum Raisin
23. Gadzooks!
24. Mocha Chip
25. Cherry Vanilla
26. Heath Bar® Crunch
27. Peach
28. Vanilla Yogurt
29. Chocolate Chip
30. Pumpkin
31. Gadzooks Blanc
32. Chocolate Marshmallow
33. Butter Almond
34. Peach Yogurt
35. Pralines & Cream
36. Irish Coffee
37. Vanilla Fudge
38. Orange Sorbet
39. The WHYY Experience
40. Fudge Brownie Yogurt
41. Champagne Sorbet
42. Cherry Vanilla Yogurt
43. Coffee Yogurt
44. Chocolate Yogurt
45. Egg Nog
Bassett's Ice Cream 