There is much more to popsicles than you may think. Visitors to Morelia Gourmet Paletas, which is opening soon at 1435 1st Ave., will be able to select from a huge display case of multi-colored paletas, a frozen popsicle-like treat that has frozen chunks of fruit inside of them. You can buy a paleta as is, or you can customize it by dipping it and rolling it in extra ingredients.
Husband-and-wife franchisees Ariel Bick and Steven Victor own Morelia Gourmet Paletas Upper East Side.
What Now NY connected with the franchisees over email to learn more about their new location.
“Morelia is a unique gourmet ice cream experience,” said Bick and Victor in a joint statement. “The paletas are hand crafted with premium and 100% natural ingredients with a wide variety of flavors and toppings. Each of these paletas are made in small batches by hand. The customer experience will be about crafting their own personalized dessert. Each customer will have the chance to select their flavor, their dipping, and their topping.”
If you aren’t familiar with paletas, these frozen treats are usually fruit-based popsicles that incorporate milk and condensed milk for extra flavors. Bick and Victor explained that the name “Morelia” is the capital city in the State of Michoacan in Mexico, where it is believed the first paletas originated.
The first Morelia Gourmet Paletas opened in 2016 in Miami before expanding to have locations in New Jersey, North Carolina, Texas and Virginia. This Upper East Side location looks to be the first New York location for the brand.
“Morelia Gourmet Paletas is an excellent alternative to the other ice cream & dessert options in the neighborhood. It is all natural with fruit and cream based flavors. There are dairy free, vegan, gluten free options as well. All of the paletas are kosher certified. It is a premium artisanal dessert that can be taken on the go with incredible flavors to choose from.”
East Side Feed notes that Morelia Gourmet Paletas will open next door to Empanada Mama, making it a great dessert spot to visit after a meal out.
This will be a grab & go location without seating inside, but it could be argued that the best place to enjoy these refreshing desserts is outside in the sunshine anyway. Morelia Gourmet Paletas serves fruity, creamy and filled paletas that tend to be much larger than your typical popsicle.
“There is something for everyone here,” the duo said. “With the wide selection of paletas, every customer will have the option to satisfy their palette. We will also serve “pupsicles” that are dog friendly! We can’t wait to share this experience with the neighborhood & rest of the city!
Bick and Victor anticipate that their franchised location will open at the end or this summer or early this fall.
