The History Behind This Famed Georgia Ice Cream Shop Is As Good As The Ice Cream
By Marisa Roman|Published August 11, 2021
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Marisa Roman
Author
A New Jersey native with over 15 years of writing experience, Marisa has studied at both New York University and Florida International University. She has lived all over the country, including a decade stint in South Florida. Marisa is well-versed in exploration as she travels a good majority of the year in her self-converted Sprinter van. Her articles have been featured in various notable publications over the years, she has a published collection of short stories, and three completed screenplays under her belt.
For many Georgians, Leopold’s Ice Cream in Savannah is the quintessential sweets shop. Founded back in 1919 by three brothers hailing from Greece, Leopold’s has since become iconic within the downtown area of Savannah. While people flock to this ice cream shop from all over the country, indulging in the history behind Leopold’s might be just as rewarding as the ice cream. Did you know the history behind this Savannah landmark?
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One of the greatest and most coveted ice cream shops in the state is none other than Leopold’s in Savannah.
But what many people don’t know about this ice cream shop is the history behind how it began. Dating back to 1919, three brothers - George, Peter, and Basil, learned the art of candy and desserts from their uncle and used secret family formulas to open up the shop.
While now a world-famous ice cream haven, Leopold’s was once a thriving soda fountain business, too. Any local who has been around for decades will likely remember the malts, banana splits, milkshakes, and sherbet molds that made this place popular.
Leopold’s famous Tutti Frutti ice cream was a wildly popular flavor back in the day, so much so that musician Johnny Mercer wrote a whole song about it!
Stratton Leopold, who was Peter’s youngest child, learned the art of ice cream when he was very young. He eventually took over the family business after his father passed, but then left Savannah to pursue his dream of working in Hollywood!
Stratton became a prominent figure in filmmaking over the years, with producer credits on films such as Mission Impossible 3, The Sum of All Fears, and The General’s Daughter. You can see these movie posters and props throughout the shop today!
Leopold’s Ice Cream is still a Savannah tradition thanks to Stratton and other members of the Leopold family. Anyone who visits the shop today will not only find fixtures from the original store throughout, like the black marble soda fountain and telephone booth, but also Stratton himself, who remains an integral and welcoming part of the shop.
Have you ever been to Leopold’s Ice Cream in Savannah before? Did you know about the history behind this ice cream shop? Share with us your thoughts in the comments section! Or if you’re looking for more information about Leopold’s, such as current hours of operation, then check out the website or Facebook Page.
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