By Joanne Kleinle
Heat up your barbecues and break out the bicycles. It is summer in Basking Ridge! That means long hot days, Little League games, lacrosse, and – Ava’s Homemade Ice Cream, of course. Ava’s Homemade Ice Cream has been a spring and summer staple for a whole generation of Somerset Hills families and this spring, it came back with a whole new look.
Everyone loves Ava’s, as Basking Ridge’s favorite ice cream spot is affectionately called. Ava’s mission is to create homemade ice cream that is made fresh in-house with high-quality ingredients and in small batches for the ultimate freshness. All of their flavors are made with ingredients from Dingman’s Dairy and locally sourced from area farms, giving them a freshness like no other ice cream. Whether you are looking for a scoop of salty caramel pretzel, key lime pie, ocean blue raspberry, or Madagascar vanilla – you know that the ice cream you get is going to be fresh and delicious. Their menu includes favorites like malted milkshakes, root beer floats, old-fashioned hand-spun milkshakes and, homemade ice cream cookie sandwiches.
When the DiGiorgio family bought Ava’s Homemade Ice Cream in 2016, it was not just about the ice cream. The family of five loved that the ice cream shop nestled on West Henry Street in downtown Basking Ridge was a gathering place for people of all ages in the community. With casual outdoor seating, great parking, and access to the playground and expansive lawns at Oak Street School, it is more than just a place to get ice cream. It is a place to meet up with friends, celebrate a team victory, or just have a leisurely afternoon on a hot summer day.
The DiGiorgio family embraced the community. All three of their children help out behind the counter and they actively get involved with neighborhood causes. One of their flavors, Goodness Gracious, a luscious mix of chocolate ice cream, caramel and marshmallow swirls, and chocolate chunks, is Grace’s favorite. She is a child diagnosed with cancer in 2018. In her honor, Ava’s Homemade Ice Cream donates all of the proceeds from the sale of this flavor to pediatric cancer research. They also helped out a local Cub Scout pack by donating the prize for the Blue and Gold raffle- the winner created his own flavor at Ava’s!
This summer, regulars will notice that the inside of Ava’s Homemade Ice Cream has been given a bright new look. There are other environmentally conscious changes, too – like paper straws and biodegradable cups and spoons. Ava’s Homemade Ice Cream continues to be an allergy-aware, tree nut-free environment.
There is a lot more happening at Ava’s Homemade Ice Cream this year. Be sure to visit Ava’s brand new website as well as follow them on social media to keep up as they announce new special flavors and more updates. But don’t just rely on social media, come see for yourself. If you are not from Basking Ridge and have never experienced Ava’s Homemade Ice Cream, be sure to put it on this summer’s to-do list. Gather some friends or family, hop on your bike, take a walk or drive over and get in on Basking Ridge’s best summer tradition – ice cream at Ava’s!