A Bergen County ice cream shop known for flavors like ube biscoff and banana pudding has scooped its way into a third location, opening a New Milford storefront that's been quietly serving customers for weeks even without a formal grand opening. Cranberry Junction Ice Cream now has locations in Hackensack, New Milford, and Dubai, giving the homegrown business an unusual international footprint for a small-town ice cream stand.
The New Milford shop took over the former Crave Creamery space at 370 River Road, according to the Bergen Record. Owner Mohammad Mahmoud told the paper he chose New Milford because of its proximity to Hackensack, where Cranberry Junction has operated since 2019, and because of the customer base already familiar with the brand. Mahmoud said the New Milford location will provide the same homemade ice cream and customer service that regulars know from the original shop.
A Slow Rollout Before the Big Reveal
Despite already dishing out cones, the New Milford spot hasn't had its official coming-out party. Per an employee, Sammy Ibrahim, the store has been serving customers for a few weeks already, and the business expects a more formal soft opening within the next week or two, the same report notes. Mahmoud is reportedly holding off on the grand opening until the weather cools down, since he still wants to paint the space before unveiling it fully.
Once finished, the New Milford shop will feature vibrant colors, whimsical touches and magical designs, according to the same account. Mahmoud said many of the early supporters checking out the new location are from the neighborhood — a sign the Hackensack fan base has been eager to follow the brand across town.
From Hackensack to Dubai and Back
Cranberry Junction's expansion isn't limited to New Jersey. The business also has a store in Dubai, and Mahmoud travels regularly between New Jersey and Dubai to keep tabs on both operations, per the Bergen Record's reporting. He said he personally ensures the ice cream at both locations follows his recipes, and that keeping the product consistent across two continents is difficult — but produces results he describes as creamy, delicious and fresh.
The Hackensack shop, located at 19 Temple Ave., has built a following on flavors like ube biscoff and banana pudding, with popular seasonal offerings including pumpkin pie ice cream now and eggnog ice cream expected during the holidays. Mahmoud also said he plans to bring back fig honey and matcha honey ice cream, two flavors that have apparently earned repeat requests from customers.
Banana Pudding and Vegan Options on the Menu
Cranberry Junction's banana pudding ice cream has been a signature item for years, served in a cup or cone with vanilla wafers, according to a 2023 feature from Wainscot Magazines. The same feature noted that the ice cream stand also has banana-based options for customers on vegan or non-dairy diets, giving the shop a reputation for flexibility alongside its more indulgent offerings.
On its own website, Cranberry Junction describes itself as an award-winning, premium homemade ice cream junction that sources the highest quality and freshest ingredients for its signature recipes. The business also states it was ranked the best ice cream by NJ Advance Media in 2019, 2021 and 2022, though that particular claim rests on the company's own account. For now, the New Milford shop is settling into its new neighborhood, with the bigger celebration — and presumably a fresh coat of vibrant paint — still to come.
