Blue Marble Ice Cream Re-Opening Prospect Heights Store After Renovations

PROSPECT HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN — Over the last 10 years, Blue Marble Ice Cream has gone from a small business starting off in Brooklyn to a multi-million-dollar company that sells pints in 12 different states and four other countries.

To mark that milestone, CEO and co-founder Jennie Dundas opted for a total gut renovation of their flagship store on Underhill Avenue in Prospect Heights, which hasn't gotten much in the way of a makeover since it was launched about eight years ago "on a very low budget."

The store has been closed since February but will reopen to the public on Friday with a re-designed interior, some added food items and a few new ice cream flavors.

"We have the most incredible customers at our Underhill Avenue location," Dundas, a former actress, told Patch. "The folks in Brooklyn are the ones who made our company and made it happen to us. I wanted to do this as a signal to the community to say thank you for the support. I wanted it to feel like a fresh new store that also reflected on the freshness and purity of the brand."

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Among the many physical changes to the interior, according to Dundas: The bathroom and "faux-kitchen area," which both blocked windows, have been moved to let more light in; the back yard area is more accessible and inviting; and the service area was moved to the other side of the store to cover up a basement entrance.

The interior was designed by Sandro Marpillero of Marpillero Pollak Architects.

"The result is, it feels a lot bigger, it feels like there’s more space for customers to enjoy," Dundas said.

The menu is also expanding.

"We’re launching a shortlist of our favorite savory menu items that we didn’t offer before," Dundas said, such as avocado toast, yogurt parfait and hard- and soft-boiled eggs. They serve cold brew coffee on tap and draft lattes. And the new pastry provider, which makes the bagels and croissants served in the store, is certified GMO-free.

There will also be a few new ice cream flavors that will expand Blue Marble's menu a little bit beyond the all-organic offerings it has now.

And on Saturday, the first 100 scoops of ice cream served that day will be free.

Dundas sees it as a thank-you to the community that has supporter her business for 10 years and watched it grow along the way.

"They have never faltered in their loyalty," Dundas said. "It’s a very special kind of people. That neighborhood has a very big heart and a very big ability to support small business. I look at this as my thank-you card to the community. I can’t wait to see people coming in this weekend."

The store will be open from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. and until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Lead image: Blue Marble Ice Cream in Prospect Heights, pre-renovation, courtesy Blue Marble