Weckerly’s Ice Cream and Lil Pop Shop to close in December

Weckerly’s Ice Cream plans to close after an 11-year run. The last day for the shop on West Girard Avenue will be Saturday, Dec. 23.

Owners Jen and Andy Satinsky announced their decision in a heartfelt letter to “dear friends and ice cream lovers near and far” on Instagram on Monday.

On this day back in 2012, the couple sold their first cup of ice cream at Green Line Cafe in West Philly, the letter began.

Since then, Weckerly’s has become a beloved Philly institution for its French-style custard ice cream, churning out rich flavors ati Globe Dye Works, a repurposed textile plant in North Philly, and selling scoops, pints, and ice cream sandwiches in the whimsical Fishtown shop.

“We’ve had the privilege of being surrounded by an incredible team and inspiring collaborators,” they wrote. “We’ve formed relationships with farms and suppliers. Each of those individuals, too many to name, has had a hand in creating the ice cream that so many of you have enjoyed. This has been a journey both challenging and fulfilling and we are excited for new adventures that lie ahead.”

The Satinskys thanked customers, past and present coworkers, suppliers, collaborators, neighbors, and well-wishers “for being a part of this remarkable experience.”

“You haven’t just supported us, you’ve inspired new flavors, pushed our creativity, and been an inseparable part of Weckerly’s Ice Cream,” the Satinskys wrote. “We look forward to sharing a few more scoops with you before the year’s end.”

Weckerly’s will still churn new flavors over the next six weeks, possibly bringing back favorites and taking on requests. Stay tuned for the last merch run and more details on preorders.

Looking ahead to the next three years, the couple wondered whether it’d be feasible to stay in the same direction making a labor-intensive high-touch product: Would they be in a position to save for retirement and would their longtime employees be able to earn more, “which I think is important for people and something they deserve,” Andy said to The Inquirer.

Rather than external pressures forcing their hand, the Satinskys decided to close their doors on a sweet note.

“We said, ‘Well, what would we need to change in order to make that happen,’ and in that path we recognized it would take us away from certain things that really connect us to the business,” he said. “The other aspect of it is that it would take two people who were really 100% still in it emotionally, mentally, and physically. We had to be honest with ourselves that that’s just not where we are. I think we realized that what we set out to build we did indeed build and we’re really proud of it.”

“This was the healthiest choice and to do it on our own terms was really beneficial,” Jen added.

The Satinskys plan to take a much-needed break and regroup to figure out their future plans. One thing’s for certain; it won’t include ice cream — as a business.

“I wasn’t a big ice cream guy [to began with],” Andy said. “But it was what Jen made where I was like, ‘Oh, this is what ice cream can be.’”

“I’ll still eat ice cream everyday,” Jen laughed.

The ice cream shop’s partner, the Lil Pop Shop, run by Jeanne Chang, also announced the end of retail operations. The final service at the West Philly shop on 44th Street will be on Saturday, Dec. 2. However, the catering service, Popalong, will continue into the next year.

”We opened our West Philly shop ELEVEN (!) years ago and since then it has been such a wonderful journey,” the Instagram post said. “I remember my excitement when I signed the lease in November of 2011 and opened the doors to you all in May 2012 with a handful of flavors in bins because I hadn’t quite figured out how to display them.”

“We have immense gratitude for everyone that has ever walked through our doors, had a popsicle at a festival, or ordered catering for a special occasion,” the post continued. “It’s been such a pleasure to get to know and work alongside the folks making pops and everyone serving them at the shop or in the truck. Deep thanks to the @weckerlys crew for their thoughtful partnership the last several years, making this work more joyful through collaboration. We hope to see you at the shop over the next month.”

The shop is still taking pie preorders for Thanksgiving; keep an eye out for details. After a break, the catering operation will continue in the spring. For Weckerly’s or Lil Pop Shop gift card holders, use them before Dec. 23.

“Maybe you’ll see our truck pop up somewhere in your neighborhood,” the post said.