Oakland's cherished dessert spot, Dave & Andy's Homemade Ice Cream shop, is on track to welcome customers back into its familiar Atwood Street location. According to WPXI, the shop had shuttered in April, marking what seemed to be the end of an era when its previous owner, Andy Hardie, decided to put away his scoop for retirement.
The store's revival is led by a family with deep-rooted connections to the shop. Jason and Sarah Kasten are now co-owners with Laura Kasten set to manage the store—it’s a family affair meant to keep a legacy alive. Jason and Laura Kasten shared a first date at Dave & Andy's over twenty years ago, a memory that now serves as an impetus to eagerly "carry on the tradition," as Sarah Kasten said, per TribLIVE. Despite the change in ownership, the name Dave & Andy’s will remain, honoring the shop’s history.
A staple in the Oakland community, Dave & Andy's is known for its extensive variety of over 200 flavors, and favorites including birthday cake, brown butter, and Nutella among others. Continuity is key to the new management, as they plan to keep to the original recipes that have made the shop popular. The Kastens have collaborated with three former employees to master the art of ice cream making as Andy Hardie used to do it. "We kept a lot of the things the same, so the flavors are the same, the name, looks, all the same," Sarah Kasten stated, according to WPXI. Outside a fresh coat of paint, customers can expect the Dave & Andy’s they know and love.
While the doors may have closed temporarily, the Kastens are poised to ensure the continuity of a cherished Oakland tradition. The relaunch acts as both a nod to the past and a scoopful of optimism for the future.
