Salt & Straw pop-ups have drawn crowds across New York City for years. Lauded for its innovative flavors and community-centric atmosphere, Salt & Straw has amassed hundreds of thousands of followers on social media, including many from New York.
Salt & Straw’s posts of colorful cones and behind-the-scenes looks at head ice cream innovator Tyler Malek churning ice cream have made Salt & Straw a household name, even in markets it doesn’t yet serve. But for New Yorkers enamored with the brand’s promise to “make ice cream that’s about more than just ice cream,” getting a scoop of Salt & Straw is about to become much easier.
Salt & Straw is opening two locations in New York City late this summer. The two locations are set for 540 Hudson St. in the West Village and 360 Amsterdam Ave. on the Upper West Side. The Strong Buzz reports that Salt & Straw have been trying to enter the NYC market for six years.
In a written exchange with What Now NY, Salt & Straw’s founder and CEO Kim Malek shone a light on the brand’s path to opening in The Empire State.
“The journey was long in the making as we wanted to find the perfect opportunity, and we definitely found that in both the West Village and Upper West Side,” said Malek. “Both neighborhoods embody the community aspect that’s so foundational to us and stay true to our roots of a gathering space where you can come with your loved ones and run into friends and neighbors.”
According to Malek, Salt & Straw currently have 40 shops, most of which are located in the Pacific Northwest and on the West Coast. Per its website, Salt & Straw has four shops in Florida as well. While the New York City locations won’t be the first on the East Coast, they will be the first in the Northeast.
Salt & Straw’s connection to New York City, however, goes back much further. Renowned restaurateur Danny Meyer made a substantial investment in the brand in 2017. His Union Square Hospitality Group is known for its collective of New York-based restaurants and bars; but as Eater Portland reported, the group will occasionally invest in burgeoning concepts outside of New York.
“Danny and the Union Square Hospitality group invested in us many years ago after we connected at their hospitality training program when Salt & Straw was brand new with only two shops,” said Malek. “We connected over a common philosophy using business to make the world a better place.”
She added, “Seeing NYC through Danny’s lens has definitely inspired us.”
Salt & Straw’s menus feature several classic flavors like Double Fold Vanilla, Honey Lavender and Arbequina Olive Oil. All shops offer seasonal flavors that change on a monthly basis, sometimes taking inspiration from fresh ingredients and other times leaning into cultural moments and social causes.
“New York City is one of the top destinations in the world for the best, most creative culinary experiences, and we humbly hope to add to those offerings,” Malek said.
