Six Generations of Sweet Success: How Bassett’s Ice Cream Defied Business Odds for 165 Years]

Six Generations of Sweet Success: How Bassett’s Ice Cream Defied Business Odds for 165 Years]

Bassett’s Ice Cream, founded in 1861 during Abraham Lincoln’s presidency, has remained family-owned for over 165 years—a rare feat that has allowed the Philadelphia institution to endure economic downturns, shifting consumer preferences, and relentless competition. The company, which originally relied on mule power to churn ice cream before delivering to Philadelphia by horse and buggy, now operates under its sixth generation of family leadership.

Bassetts Ice Cream in Philadelphia (photohoo / Getty Images)

“We love a family business. We feel that our ice cream is a tradition, this is a family company, and we are so proud to be serving America and Philadelphia with a family business,” sixth-generation owner Alex Bassett Strange said.

While rooted in tradition, Bassett’s has evolved to meet modern demands. The company exports its ice cream to markets including China and Taiwan, opportunities that have enabled the development of new flavors such as matcha. “That’s right, so we export some ice cream… It’s helped us develop into new markets… I have my matcha ice cream, which is a flavor we never would have done had we not been in Southeast Asia,” Strange explained.

As America prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, Bassett’s has introduced a limited-edition red, white and blueberry variety and launched its first vegan ice cream line, all while continuing to source Pennsylvania dairy for its traditional products.

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