The Ashley's Ice Cream Story
From the beginning Ashley’s goal has been to make the best ice cream possible, and we continue to do that today over thirty years later!
We never use any artificial colors or flavors. All natural, fresh ingredients lead to naturally the best ice cream! Of course we don’t stop there, whipped cream is whipped fresh in the store everyday, along with fresh baked waffle cones and our famous Bittersweet hot fudge made with all the highest quality chocolates.
Ashley’s Ice Cream was founded in 1979. Being avid frisbee players, we became enamored with Ashley Whippet- the famous frisbee catching dog. So our name was born, and our walls have been decorated with hundreds of frisbees we’ve collected ever since. Ashley’s Ice Cream originated in New Haven in 1979 on College Street, just steps away from the dormitories of Yale University. It didn’t take long for the crowds, accolades, and awards to start filling the store; so much so that a second Ashley’s opened on the other side of campus on York Street, where we still are today!
We’ve even been lucky enough to serve some famous alumni and students such as several past Presidents, Academy Award nominee Paul Giamatti, and many other actors including James Franco, Jordana Brewster, and David Duchovny. Although New Haven will always be where our roots are, other locations in the area soon followed. Ashley’s has been in nearby Hamden since 1983, and shops in Guilford, Branford, and Madison subsequently followed to bring us to our current 5 locations.
Ashley the Dog
Ashley was a dog. Yes, that’s right, a dog.
But no ordinary dog. Ashley Whippet was a very special, talented dog. Ashley first entered the public eye when his owner, Alex Stein, led him onto the field at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles unannounced, and at first unwelcomed. Alex threw a frisbee across the field which Ashley chased and caught 6 feet in the air, demonstrating his ability before thousands of amazed fans. Ashley and Alex were seperated when Alex was arrested by the police.
When they were reunited, they made appearances on everything from TV talk shows to the White House. Ashley Whippet became a celebrity. Soon an annual tournament named The Ashley Whippet Invitational was started and remains today, a tribute to talented dogs. Ashley Whippet died in 1985 in his owners arms, a champion and a hero. We had the honor of hosting Ashley at our New Haven store; his favorite flavor was chocolate banana!