The ice cream scene in Downtown Jersey City is getting a serious addition with the arrival of Van Leeuwen Ice Cream Shop at 347 Grove Street. The well-known ice cream shop is taking over the empty spot which was once home to the Borinquen Laundromat, and it plans to open in spring 2024. This will be the popular ice cream chain’s second New Jersey location, with the first being in the American Dream Mall in Rutherford. Continue reading for more details about Van Leeuwen Ice Cream Shop coming to Downtown Jersey City.
The Announcement
Local event and downtown Jersey City non-profit @hdsid_jc posted on its Instagram about the opening announcement on Monday, October 16th.
“BIG NEWS! Van Leeuwen Ice Cream just signed the lease at 347 Grove Street in Historic Downtown Jersey City,” @hdsid_jc shared, noting that Grid Real Estate had been the brokerage firm closing the deal. A press release also shared that “Emily Green of Brand Urban co-represented the tenant in the transaction alongside Jason Kastner of Dochter + Alexander Retail Advisors, Van Leeuwen’s master broker.”
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Behind Van Leeuwen
Van Leeuwen Ice Cream of New York City was founded as a food truck in 2008. The brand is famously known for its artisanal ice cream made with high-quality ingredients. The brand was founded by brothers Pete and Ben Van Leeuwen and Laura O’Neil. The team has a goal of having 40 shops nationwide by 2024. Ben was inspired by the classic frozen treats of childhood, as he worked for several summers on an ice cream truck. The brand was founded on the premise of making really good flavors with high-quality ingredients.
In addition to the creamy classics, fans also like Van Leeuwen for its vegan products. As any vegan or vegetarian will attest, the imitations are often a disappointment compared to the original. However, Van Leeuwen has several vegan options and three different vegan bases: coconut milk, oat milk, and cashew milk. The vegan selections are a smaller portion of the menu than the conventional choices, but the flavors are no less interesting. Flavors like vegan cookies and cream caramel swirl and vegan strawberry shortcake mean that vegans and vegetarians aren’t shut out of the frozen fun. There are even vegan ice cream sandwiches available in four different flavors.
With its variety of unique flavors from Honeycomb, Earl Grey Tea, and Vegan Cookie Crumble, Van Leeuwen has made a name for itself in the world of gourmet frozen desserts. The simple aesthetic of the brand’s tubs in the freezer section of the grocery store doesn’t give anything away about what creative concoctions lie inside. The first storefront opened in Brooklyn and now there are stores across America. The frozen treats can also be found in grocery stores nationwide, and are available for shipping nationwide.
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Grand Opening
The opening of Van Leeuwen represents a tasteful addition to Jersey City’s expansive culinary landscape with vegan and dairy-free options. While details about the impending arrival of Van Leewuen in Jersey City remain limited, it is confirmed that preparations are underway, with the establishment recently signing a lease at 347 Grove Street, formerly Borinquen Laundromat’s location. The official opening date will be announced soon, so keep your eyes open and taste buds ready for more details to follow — but it’s confirmed that the ice cream shop will open its doors sometime in spring 2024.
The addition of Van Leeuwen means that Jersey City residents and visitors will have another sweet spot to visit downtown. Other frozen treat vendors within a short walk of Van Leeuwen include Torico, Downtown Yogurt, Ralph’s Famous Italian Ices, and Milk + Cream Cereal Bar. An ice cream tour of downtown Jersey City will be just the thing in summer 2024.
Most recently, Grind Coffee just launched a pop-up downtown inside Milk + Cream Cereal Bar, adding to the fun array of unique sweets and coffee collaborations in Hudson County.
For more updates and information about the grand opening, follow Van Leeuwen Ice Cream on Instagram and stay tuned at @TheHobokenGirl, as always.
