Photo by Darina Todorova
After many years without a non-chain ice cream shop, the Westchester city can celebrate with scoops made in the Hudson Valley.
On a hot day in July 2019, White Plains resident Pam Geiger needed somewhere to bring her three-year-old for 30 minutes outside the house. She texted friend and fellow city resident Erin O’Keefe to say White Plains really needed a good ice cream shop. O’Keefe replied saying she’d thought that her entire life. Thus, the duo put pen to paper in January of 2020 to develop a business plan.
In May of 2020, the brick Dutch Colonial-style building at 481 Mamaroneck Avenue (which formerly housed a florist) became available.
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“We loved that it has parking and curb appeal,” says Geiger. “Plus, people know it.” Adds O’Keefe: “People could walk to it from downtown and the Highlands neighborhood.”
By early July, 2021 they had debuted Ice Cream Social, serving Jane’s Ice Cream.
“We spent months tasting different ice cream purveyors,” says O’Keefe. “Jane’s is hormone-free, has no additives, and uses dairy from New York cows. Plus, it tastes delicious, of course.”
The Killer Chocolate is the most popular of the 20 or so flavors, but not far behind are lavender (which tastes and smells like lavender), Blue Zoo (natural blue dyed spirulina mixed with animal crackers and chocolate chips), salted caramel, and cappuccino Kahlua. A handful of vegan flavors – made with oat milk instead of dairy milk– are also available, including Brownie Batter that tastes like licking the spoon after mixing up a batch of brownies.
There are signature sprinkle mixes made with candy pearls, candy-coated chocolate, and sugar crystals, which put traditional sprinkles to shame.
O’Keefe and Geiger both grew up in White Plains, their families having lived in the city for generations.
“We love White Plains, as it has mix of suburban and urban and is not homogeneous,” says O’Keefe. “The energy of New York City and the joys of suburban life.”
Coffee Labs Roasters coffee is offered, plus house-made soups. The co-owners are looking to partner with local bakers.
“People are thanking us daily for opening,” says O’Keefe. “We have tons of regulars already and are fast becoming part of the community.”
Ice Cream Social
481 Mamaroneck Ave
White Plains
914.358.4332
