Van Leeuwen Brings “Good Ice Cream with Simple Ingredients” to University City
Media Relations Contact:
Jennifer Rizzi, Communications Director
Penn Facilities & Real Estate Services
215.573.6107, rizzi@upenn.edu
Good ice cream is for everyone. That’s the belief of Van Leeuwen who’s been on a mission since its inception to create the best ice cream with simple ingredients. Expanding upon the success of their other Philadelphia locations, Van Leeuwen is opening their 4th storefront at 3631 Walnut Street, announced Penn’s Division of Facilities & Real Estate Services. “We’re looking forward to Van Leeuwen bringing their popular parlor and unique ice cream flavors, including vegan and dairy offerings, to the diverse culinary scene in the Shop Penn District,” said Ed Datz, Penn’s Executive Director of Real Estate.
Led by co-founders Ben Van Leeuwen, Pete Van Leeuwen, and Laura O'Neill, the company began in a yellow ice cream truck on the streets of New York City in 2008. From there they grew in popularity, and their ice cream can now be found in various scoop shops throughout the United States as well as select grocery stores. Known for their decadent, premium flavors like Honeycomb and Brown Sugar Cookie Dough Brownie, Van Leeuwen gained additional attention in recent years for their more experimental flavors like Kraft Macaroni & Cheese ice cream. For those with a less adventurous palate, Van Leeuwen also sells classic ice cream flavors, milkshakes, cookies, ice cream sandwiches, root beer floats and sundaes.
This shop is anticipated to open over the summer so watch for the latest scoop on store updates by following @shopsatpenn and @vanleeuwenicecream on social media and by visiting vanleeuwenicecream.com.
MSC Retail represented the University of Pennsylvania in the transaction.
About Van Leeuwen Ice Cream
Van Leeuwen began as a yellow scoop truck on the streets of NYC in 2008 by Ben Van Leeuwen, Pete Van Leeuwen and Laura O’Neill, who were on a mission to make good ice cream from good ingredients that makes you feel good. Their French-style ice cream (made with more than double the amount of egg yolks as standard ice cream) quickly gained a loyal following. Van Leeuwen has since expanded and has over 50 scoop shops in New York, California, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, DC, Colorado, Connecticut and Texas. Van Leeuwen also recently opened their first international scoop shop in Singapore. Pints, ice cream bars and ice cream sandwiches are available in grocery stores across the country and to order for nationwide shipping from their website. To keep up with everything Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, follow the brand on Instagram @vanleeuwenicecream or visit www.vanleeuwenicecream.com.
About SHOP PENN Retail District
Penn’s retail district offers an inspired, contemporary shopping and dining experience, open to all. Spanning ten city blocks from 30th to 40th Streets and across Spruce, Walnut, and Chestnut Streets, the district features more than 65 curated shopping, dining, and entertainment outlets immersed in the region’s most beautiful and historic university campus. The diverse collection of retail offerings—including national brands and independent shops—provides the highest quality options at every price point for the Penn community, surrounding neighborhoods, and beyond. Visit the SHOP PENN website for a full listing of retailers.