While some people might say it's a baseball game or a slice of apple pie, there's really nothing more American than going to get a scoop of ice cream.
This is even more true during the summer.
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In many towns across the U.S., folks line up long after the sun has set for a chance to get a scoop of refreshing ice cream.
It's an iconic memory many of us have from growing up, and ice cream shops around the country have capitalized on it.
Gone are the days when you'd visit a diner window or a simple ice cream shop for a single scoop of chocolate or vanilla.
Now, both new upstarts and large corporate restaurants offer novel flavors and unique types of ice cream.
20 years ago, for example, a chocolate-vanilla twist was considered revolutionary.
Now, ice cream shops like Jeni's (which regularly have lines around the block on a summer evening) offer unique flavors such as Savannah Buttermint, Lavender, and Sweet Potato Marshmallow Praline.
Other shops offer banana-based ice cream as a healthy alternative, or rolled ice cream, which is presented in bowls like a bouquet of roses.
Ice cream isn't a foolproof business
Just because it seems like most of us scream for ice cream doesn't mean the industry is without its pitfalls.
Changing customer tastes have forced many Americans away from ice cream.
Many folks are lactose intolerant or simply don't want to indulge in a sugar-heavy dessert as frequently as they used to.
More closings:
- Popular Mexican chain closing all restaurants, no bankruptcy
- Iconic mall chain shuttering more stores forever
- Major gym closing multiple locations after franchisee bankruptcy
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This has forced many ice-cream chains to either scale back operations or pivot away from traditional ice cream.
Dairy Queen, for example, has recently closed about 40 locations in Texas.
And Thrifty Ice Cream, which is owned by Rite Aid, is facing an uncertain and volatile future as its parent company is in the midst of closing down all locations due to a Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Up to 500 locations will shutter as a result.
Ice cream shop closing unexpectedly
And now, a popular ice cream shop in Houston, Texas is shuttering for good.
Sweet Bribery by Craft Creamery, an ice cream shop known for its novel flavors, has suddenly closed down.
Sweet Bribery by Craft Creamery offered new and inventive flavors, like brisket, pho, chicken and waffles, and tomato tarragon.
But it shut its doors as of May 31, 2025 after approximately four years in business.
Related: Another big Mexican chain closing down restaurant, no bankruptcy
Sweet Bribery was popular for its unique flavors, which were difficult to find elsewhere.
It also hosted wine pairing nights that became popular in the local community.
Sweet Bribery by Craft Creamery's owners, Kim Kaase and Steve Marques, did not give a reason for the closure.
“We both agree that the connections we’ve made with our customers and community have been the sweetest part of this journey and that the relationships have made every early morning and late night worthwhile,” the ice cream shop wrote on Facebook.
