Big Gay Ice Cream was a beloved ice cream shop in NYC that had a unique twist on the classic frozen treat, featuring whimsical flavor combinations and creative toppings. However, after almost ten years in business, the original location in the East Village has closed its doors for good. Fans of the shop are left wondering what happened and what the future holds for Big Gay Ice Cream.
The Beginning of Big Gay Ice Cream
Big Gay Ice Cream started as an ice cream truck that roamed the streets of New York City in 2009. Founders Douglas Quint and Bryan Petroff would sell their unique take on soft-serve ice cream, with toppings like wasabi pea dust and olive oil. Their eye-catching truck and inventive flavors began to gain a loyal following, leading them to open their first brick-and-mortar shop in the East Village in 2011.
Big Gay Ice Cream’s Rise to Fame
From the start, the shop’s quirky and playful vibe drew customers in. The rainbow-colored swirls of soft-serve and goofy names like “Bea Arthur” and “Salty Pimp” made for an Instagram-worthy experience. As social media began to explode, Big Gay Ice Cream became a viral sensation, with fans flocking to try their unique creations.
Not only did the shop’s eccentricity attract customers, but the ice cream was also undeniably delicious. Quint and Petroff sourced the best ingredients and experimented with unexpected flavor combinations, resulting in ice cream that satisfied both the adventurous and classic palates.
Big Gay Ice Cream’s Downfall
Unfortunately, like many small businesses, Big Gay Ice Cream was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. The East Village location was forced to close its doors in March 2020, along with the other two locations in NYC. While the other two have since reopened, the original East Village shop remained closed.
In August 2020, a sign appeared in the shop’s window, announcing that the location would not reopen. In a statement to Eater NY, Quint and Petroff expressed their sadness about the closure, citing the inability to maintain a safe and profitable business under the current circumstances.
The Future of Big Gay Ice Cream
While the closure of the East Village location is a significant loss for Big Gay Ice Cream fans, it’s not the end for the brand altogether. The company still has two locations in New York, one in Philadelphia, and pints of their ice cream are available in stores across the country.
Additionally, Quint and Petroff have hinted at new projects in the works, including a cookbook and a TV show. The duo has always had an entrepreneurial spirit, and it’s exciting to see what they will come up with next.
Conclusion
Big Gay Ice Cream was a unique and beloved ice cream shop in New York City that brought joy to many customers with its inventive flavors and playful vibe. While the closure of the East Village location is undoubtedly a loss, the brand’s future looks promising with new projects in the works and other locations still open. Fans of the shop can continue to enjoy their favorite flavors and look forward to whatever comes next from the creative minds behind Big Gay Ice Cream.
FAQ
Did Big Gay Ice Cream go out of business?
Big Gay Ice Cream, a beloved frozen treat shop located at 125 East 7th Street in New York City, has been a favorite destination for ice cream lovers since it first opened its doors in 2009. However, since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ice cream shop has been closed for an extensive period, leading some to wonder whether it has gone out of business.
Unfortunately, it was recently announced that Big Gay Ice Cream will not be reopening after an extensive shutdown during the pandemic. The owners of the shop stated that the decision to close permanently was an extremely difficult one to make, but that the economic pressures of the pandemic were simply too great to overcome. With rent costs in New York City already incredibly high, the prolonged closure forced the business into insurmountable financial hardship.
Fans of the shop took to social media to express their sorrow at the closure of Big Gay Ice Cream. Many have shared memories of enjoying the unique and delicious flavors like “Salty Pimp”, “Bea Arthur”, and “American Globs” that made Big Gay Ice Cream so popular. Even those who never visited the shop personally recognized the brand as a staple in the New York City ice cream scene.
While the permanent closure of Big Gay Ice Cream is certainly disappointing news for fans of the shop, it is yet another example of how small businesses have been impacted by the pandemic. For now, ice cream lovers will have to look elsewhere for their frozen treat fix, but the memories of Big Gay Ice Cream will live on.
Why is Big Gay Ice Cream called Big Gay Ice Cream?
Big Gay Ice Cream is a popular ice cream brand that was founded in 2009 by Doug Quint and Bryan Petroff. The brand has gained a loyal following due to its unique and delicious ice cream creations, which often include toppings such as fruity pebbles, chocolate chips, and caramel sauce. However, one aspect of the brand’s identity that has raised questions is its name – Big Gay Ice Cream. So, why exactly is the brand called Big Gay Ice Cream?
To answer this question, it is important to understand the history of the brand and its co-founders. Doug Quint and Bryan Petroff are both openly gay and had already made names for themselves in the New York City food scene prior to founding Big Gay Ice Cream. Quint was known for his jazz music and operating his own classical bassoon business, while Petroff had worked in social media marketing. However, both had a passion for food and ice cream, and as friends, they decided to merge their talents and open up a food truck together.
When it came time to choose a name for their new venture, Quint and Petroff wanted to embrace their LGBTQ+ identity and use it as a strength for their brand. As gay men, they found humor and pride in using the word “gay” in the name, as it has historically been used as a slur against the LGBTQ+ community. The use of the word in a positive and empowering way was a way for them to reclaim the word for themselves and their community. Additionally, the use of “gay” in the name was also meant to communicate the happy and joyful nature of their ice cream creations – the word “gay” has an older definition of “happy” or “carefree.”
The brand’s name has not been without controversy, however. Some people have criticized the use of the word “gay,” claiming that it is inappropriate and exclusionary to people who are not part of the LGBTQ+ community. However, Quint and Petroff have pushed back against this criticism, arguing that their brand is meant to be fun and welcoming to everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. They see the name as a way to celebrate LGBTQ+ culture and create a safe and affirming space for all.
Big Gay Ice Cream is called Big Gay Ice Cream because it was founded by two openly gay men who wanted to embrace their LGBTQ+ identity and use it in a positive and empowering way. The name is meant to celebrate LGBTQ+ culture and create a safe and welcoming space for everyone, and it is a way for Quint and Petroff to reclaim and redefine the word “gay” for themselves and their community. While the name may be controversial to some, it is ultimately a reflection of the founders’ values and identity, and a testament to the power of embracing who you are.
What is America’s oldest ice cream brand?
Ice cream, the classic frozen treat has been gaining popularity around the world for centuries. However, in the United States, it is believed that the history of ice cream can be traced back to as early as 1744, when it was served at the Governor’s Mansion in Maryland.
Despite the long history of ice cream in the US, only a handful of brands has successfully stood the test of time and continued to thrive for centuries. Among them, Bassetts Ice Cream is known as America’s oldest ice cream brand.
Bassetts Ice Cream started as a small family business in 1861 when Lewis Dubois Bassett began selling ice cream from a small wagon on the streets of Philadelphia. In the years that followed, the company managed to survive the Civil War and the Great Depression, remaining operational to this day.
Bassetts Ice Cream is unique in that it is still a family-run business, and it still uses many of the same recipes that it used over 100 years ago. Over the years, the company has expanded its product line to include more than 40 flavors, including classics such as chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry, as well as more unique flavors such as pumpkin and black raspberry.
Despite increased competition from other ice cream brands, Bassetts has managed to hold on to its position as America’s oldest ice cream brand by focusing on quality, using only the freshest ingredients, and staying true to its roots.
Today, Bassetts Ice Cream continues to be a beloved Philadelphia institution, serving up its famous ice cream to locals and tourists alike. With a rich history that spans generations, Bassetts is a testament to the resilience of small businesses and the enduring popularity of ice cream in America.
