Ice Cream Chain Van Leeuwen To Open In Downtown Jersey City, But Some Have Mixed Feelings

JERSEY CITY, NJ — Jersey City residents are screaming for ice cream now that a chain has announced plans to open a location in Jersey City, but others are screaming that they're a little cool on chain stores.

According to an announcement from the Jersey City Downtown Special Improvement District on Monday night, Van Leeuwen ice cream — a chain with shops in nine U.S. states — has signed a lease to open its second New Jersey store in downtown Jersey City, at 347 Grove St. The shop already has a location at American Dream Mall.

The chain specializes in unique flavors like PB brownie honeycomb and oat milk brown sugar chunk, with several vegan varieties.

Van Leeuwen is among many chain stores and restaurants that have opened their first or second New Jersey store in Jersey City, called an up-and-coming foodie town last year by Food & Wine Magazine.

But foodies can be a bit suspicious of chains, and not everyone was screaming with pleasure at the cool ice cream news on Monday.

"Congratulations @gridrealestate signing the deal on NJ’s FIRST Van Leeuwen ⭐️ @vanleeuwenicecream, we’re excited to welcome you to Historic Downtown!" wrote the SID on Monday.

"Keep chains out of JC," responded one commenter, pledging loyalty to two other local shops. "Torico and Milk Sugar Love deserve all the love."

"Kinda sad to hear that Jersey City downtown is getting so many chain restaurants," posted another. "I'm worried that the uniqueness of the downtown scene is fading with
each new arrival."

"Here comes a $37 cone," chimed in another. (Actually, a pint of the chocolate caramel cheesecake will run you $12.)

One small business owner posted a gif of someone watching and eating popcorn, adding, "That rent per sq ft was BANANAS."

But some are withholding judgment.

"I’ll give it a try," promised "Downtown Pete," adding, "but I Stan @toricoicecream!"

The company started in 2008 in a yellow food truck in New York City, the owners say. Find out more here. (And if you know about a new business or restaurant coming to North Jersey, let Patch know.)