Too Much Krisp Not Enough Pop
That’s “Creamery,” not “Treamery”
Before I moved, I tried to figure out where to live by triangulating on a map of my friends, favorite food, libraries, and other things important to my life. Ample Hills was on that list — but unfortunately it closed in March, just a couple weeks after I moved.
Surprisingly enough, it didn’t close because of Covid-19, but because the creamery had filed for bankruptcy; Brian and Jackie Cuscuna, the couple who built the company from a pushcart to profitable shops all around NYC (and one in Disney World!!!), they invested in a factory space and museum that was not profitable and ate into their operation costs.
Manufacturing company (?) Schmidt Industries purchased the company, and the Cuscunas departed the company after the acquisition. The stores started opening back up in late July, and after a frustrating work week, I met up with some friends at the original location.
The brand was really built on having fun, innovative flavors, and I was excited to try one. I settled on Snap, Mallow, Pop because I love marshmallow and rice krispie treats and also because it was the first flavor my eyes landed on and I suffer from decision paralysis.
beautiful but ultimately empty chunks
It’s a really beautiful scoop of ice cream — I love ice cream with a crunch and texture, and Ample Hills definitely delivered in that regard; but unfortunately, the flavors didn’t meld well and as a whole, it was a disappointing scoop. The marshmallow base was very tasty, but the rice krispie clusters were distracting and flavorless — I would have preferred just the marshmallow on its own, or maybe in a sundae with some crushed graham crackers or oreos. The best part was when the chunks were mostly gone and I was down to soft marshmallow and crunchy cone — those were the bites that made me really smile and enjoy myself.
I’m curious if the bankruptcy/sale of the business has had an impact on the quality of the ice cream; even when new owners claim they’re planning on letting a company operate as-is, they often have trouble keeping from meddling!
3 Spoons (but I’ll probably be back, after studying the flavors)