Cranford Creamery Announces 2023 Season Opening Date

CRANFORD, NJ - Cranford residents won’t have to wait much longer to get a scoop (or three) of homemade ice cream at Cranford Vanilla Bean Creamery in 2023.

The local ice cream parlor will open for the 2023 season on March 3, according to an announcement on social media last week. The North Avenue West shop closed temporarily in late December for the winter off season.

Ahead of Friday’s seasonal reopening, Cranford Vanilla Bean Creamery will be taking cake orders, effective immediately.

The Cranford shop is known for its classic flavors such as strawberry, S’Mores and Cookie Monster, as well as seasonal treats like Irish Cream for St. Patrick's Day, Ricotta Fig for fall and Peppermint Bark and Eggnog Chip for the holiday season. The location offers over 32 hard ice cream flavors rotated weekly, it said.

“We love to experiment with different ingredients to ensure the greatest quality and taste, as well as a new variety for each visit,” the creamery said in a statement on its website.

Owner Ralph Kopelman took over Vanilla Bean in 2010, inspired by serving ice cream and egg creams at his father's old-fashioned candy store in Queens, N.Y. as a teen after spending 25 years in the men's clothing industry. He has now been serving ice cream to the Cranford community for over a decade.

Cranford Vanilla Bean Creamery will be open Tuesdays through Thursdays from noon to 9:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from noon to 10 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 9:30 p.m. The store will be closed on Mondays.

For cake orders, call (908) 272-3000.