Ample Hills Hopes New Red Hook Factory Will Help Make It 'The Next Ben & Jerry’s'

BROOKLYN, NY — The owners of Brooklyn's Ample Hills ice cream are eyeing some lofty goals in the ice cream world, namely, to become the next Ben & Jerry's.

Their next step in that process, according to multiple reports, is the opening of a 15,000-square-foot factory in Red Hook to help better churn out signature flavors such as Ooey Gooey Butter Cake, Salted Crack Caramel and Nonna D's Oatmeal Lace.

The factory, on Van Brunt Street near Beard Street, which will come with an additional storefront, is expected to open in late September, Bloomberg reported as part of a deeper look into the company.

Owners Brian Smith and Jackie Cuscuna are also planning to open up a flagship store in Los Angeles to bring the brand coast-to-coast, Bloomberg reports.

(Patch has also reached out to Ample Hills and we'll update this post if we hear back.)

The new factory in Red Hook will do more, though, than just serve as an ice-cream-making facility and new storefront.

The New York Times reports:

Best of all, fans will get a chance to sample them at the source in October, when a scoop shop opens, with windows offering a clear view into the plant. By next spring, Mr. Smith said, visitors will be able to go on self-guided tours of the factory, and walk through various ice cream-themed installations.

Click here to read more from Bloomberg.

Click here to read more from The New York Times.

Image: Patch file photo