History in the Making

Jake’s was born and raised in the heart of Atlanta (The Old Fourth Ward) and we are proud to be celebrating our 10th year in business. We’ve served hundreds of thousands of scoops of ice cream and have made many wonderful friends through the years.

Jake's was founded by three plucky folks in 1999 in Atlanta, Georgia.  Each believed that Atlanta...and the world...needed a better choice for ice cream and after a lot of work, a lot of trial and error, and even a blazing fire...Jake's was born. 

First named JD Rothschild and later changed to Jake's for ease and convenience, the first store was located at 676 Highland Avenue.  For seven wonderful years, that store was the flagship for what was soon to become many more stores across Atlanta's landscape.

Jake's started with a single store in what many folks thought was a forsaken part of town. Located at 676 Highland Avenue in the Old Fourth Ward, the Jake's flagship store was created in a dilapidated turn-of-the-century storefront, across from three crack houses, a scrap metal yard and a body shop. Who needs demographics, right?

We faced a roofless building with no windows, no plumbing, no wiring, no parking lot...more than just a fixer-upper. Never afraid of a good challenge, Jake had his reasons. All he had to do was turn to his right and look at the beautiful Atlanta skyline and to the left and see one of Atlanta's most beautiful neighborhoods (Inman Park) and he knew he was planting Jake's in the right spot. Jake predicted that this would be one of Atlanta’s next great neighborhoods. Ten years later, property values have skyrocketed and even in this crazy economy, our neighborhood is booming.

Jake tells us that he is often asked what made him to decide to go into the ice cream business. His response?

“Borderline insanity.”

And he goes on to explain, “I was fascinated with the idea of making people smile for a living and I thought ice cream would help me do that. The ice cream business is for certain, not an easy one with the seasonality of it, the up and down fears of sugar and fat…and the amazing fights people have with themselves over the guilt of eating it. But in the long run it was a good, right decision because the ice cream has made many people smile and no matter how hard the journey has been…no matter how ‘rocky the road’, it has been worth it.

So where did this idea come from?

In 1999, the choices for ice cream were slim. Atlanta’s beloved Tim’s was gone. And what was left were a few Baskin and Robbins and Dairy Queens.

Founder Jake Rothschild felt that Atlanta needed good home made ice cream and a really cool place to enjoy it.

No fluorescent lights, no hard chrome and plastic chairs, no pre-programmed music backing pre-programmed speeches from polyester-uniformed singing robots.

Some folks give Jake’s the credit for getting the whole thing started for taking the chance on a very scary neighborhood. Jake’s response?

“I’ve never been afraid to pioneer…I started in Cabbagetown before it blossomed, too. Someone had to take the first step and I knew it wouldn’t be long before the whole neighborhood would come to life. I am very proud to have had even a small role in the rebirth of Old Fourth Ward.”

In 2005, Jake’s was ready to grow and one short block away, the team found the perfect location…660 Irwin Street to be an anchor tenant for the Irwin Street Market www.irwinstreetmarket.com. It was similar to the original location in that it was big and in less than show-ready shape. The building had been used as a refrigeration and air conditioning repair place just like the original location, but in the later years it was also a warehouse, an art gallery and reportedly an underground rave space.

There was much work to do with many truckloads of “stuff” to haul away and a kitchen to build, but over the course of the next year, we all got to work and in September 2006, Jake’s was home again in the neighborhood. Jake’s became a part of the Irwin Street Market where you will also find some of Atlanta’s finest artisans and craftspeople.

Instead, you’ll find big, roomy spaces perfect for stretching out in overstuffed sofas by working fireplaces and soft lighting perfect for practicing the art of conversation and the occasional snooze.

FAQs

When was Jake’s established?
Jakes opened as JD Rothschild in 1999. We changed the name to Jake’s a year later because Jake’s is just easier to remember and spell and our frequent guests called it that anyway.

Is there really a Jake?
There most certainly is! Jake is in the stores frequently and is always looking for more ways to make retail and wholesale customers happy. He also designs most of the flavors and works directly with the chefs and cooks we serve to assure satisfaction.

Where do you get the ideas for your flavors?
We started with eight flavors. Since then, most of the ideas come from our guests—like Nutter Nanner Elvis, Breakfast in Bed and Mexican Hot Chocolate. Food critics and fans alike say the flavors are what create a cult-like following for Jake’s Ice Cream.

What are Jake’s plans for growth?
Jake’s has changed its business strategy to be more competitive in the marketplace, focusing on making sure we are in the best locations. We are creating partnerships with other businesses, such as restaurants and other establishments, in order to bring Jake’s Ice Cream & Sorbets to more people. What will never change is that Jake’s will always strive to be the best ice cream you have ever experienced.

Why is Jake’s consistently named Atlanta’s Best Ice Cream?
Jake’s uses the freshest ingredients possible for an all-natural, wholesome product with no preservatives or additives. Where most ice cream companies add volume by adding air into the ice cream, Jake’s believes its 18 percent butterfat content—the highest you’ll find in any ice cream—results in a superior tasting product that is more satisfying. And, most important to our customers, you won’t find flavors like ours anywhere else.

Awards

And Jake's? Well, we won Best of Atlanta in Atlanta Magazine after being open 7 months and we've been winning awards and more importantly, your loyalty, ever since.

Jake's continues to expand and gain more attention: Recent highlights include:

1. • Being named "Best Ice Cream, Reader's Choice", "Best Ice Cream, Editorial Choice", and "Best Ice Cream, National Editor's Choice" by Citysearch.com.
3. • Being named "Best Cheap Date" for 2002 by Jake's fans from around the globe on CitySearch.com.
5. • Being named "Best Ice Cream in Atlanta" for 2001 by the critics at Creative Loafing.
7. • Named one of the top three ice cream parlors in the country by Citysearch.com two years in a row.
9. • Named "Best of Atlanta" by Atlanta magazine three years running.

Jake's is the perfect place to enjoy lunch, dinner, dessert, coffee and the company of others. It's also a great place to have a party or event. We'd love to help you celebrate a birthday, engagement, baby shower, or whatever you're celebrating! We hope to see you soon, and remember, Jake's can come to you, too!

Random things we here at Jake's enjoy reading.

The Social Beast - Atlanta icon, social beast, super-friendly guy Chia. We love his views on being social, building a tight community, planning social events and promoting a social lifestyle. He's currently helping plan Jakestock, a new annual summer festival celebrating Jake's Ice Cream's 10 year anniversary this year.

Wax Porhetoric - We go here to be reminded about staying positive, following your passions and achieving your goals.

Chia Town - Another one of Chia's sites where he comments on business and technology trends, feeding the entrepreneurial spirit, and his own thoughts on business.

Answers for Kids Quiz: A. Chocolate Slap Yo Mama, B. Emyline, K. All of the Above