In 1893 Louis Dubois Bassett moved his ice cream production to the Reading Terminal Market at 12th and Arch Streets, Philadelphia, and also opened a retail store there. Today, this store is still in the same place in the Market, and has the original marble counters.
On October 31, 2003, we took a field trip to visit Bassetts in the Reading Terminal, ask questions, and sample some ice cream. Here are some of the questions Manager Roger Caulfield answered for us:
What is the most favorite flavor?
Vanilla
What is the least favorite flavor?
After thinking for a minute, Roger said probably Champagne Sorbet.
How often is the ice cream actually made?
About every 2 weeks.
How many flavors are there?
There are usually 42 different flavors, and up to 44 during holidays (for example, Pumpkin ice cream is made during the fall).
What kind of training is needed to work at the store?
Roger started with scooping, and learning about how to act with customers. Now he is the manager.
What is Roger's personal favorite flavor?
Vanilla Fudge.
Where do you get the cream, fruits, etc. to make the ice cream?
Most of the ingredients come from dairy farms up around Johnston, PA.
Roger also said that the company is 142 years old, and that his particular store is 112 years old. (We didn't ask Roger how old he is!)
Please continue to the next page to read students' reflections about this field trip.
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Did you know?
The Reading Terminal Market is one of our country's biggest and oldest public markets, dating back to 1893. The building is a National Historic Landmark. The Market has many different stores in it selling a variety of products - fresh produce, meats, and seafood, baked goods, flowers, crafts, kitchen items, and different prepared foods.
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