What's for Lunch?: A Taste of Northeast Ohio Food Industries and Their Development

Pierre's Ice Cream Company, located at 6200 Euclid Avenue, is the last ice cream maker still based in Cleveland.  The company's president and chief executive is Shelley Roth, daughter of Sol J. Roth, the company's founder.

When the company opened its doors in 1932, it was one of hundreds of family-owned ice cream parlors in Greater Cleveland.  Today, this ice cream factory churns out up to 14,000 gallons of ice cream every day and sells more than 400 brands and flavors of ice cream and frozen treats nationwide. 

The Pierre's empire now includes everything from traditional ice cream and frozen yogurt to sherbets, sorbets and frozen novelties.  Pierre's also makes private-label ice creams for retailers and distributes its national brands to area hospitals, grocers such as Dave's Supermarkets and Heinen's Fine Foods, and restaurants such as Yours Truly and Winking Lizard.

Pierre's original classic recipes are daily reminders of the company's dedication to quality.  That dedication influences the company's focus on the future, as it develops new business opportunities and continues to be innovative and sensitive to consumers' changing needs.

History Detective Activities

On a map of Cleveland, locate Pierre's Ice Cream Company.

Name three other businesses in the area.

Do you think this location is well-chosen?  Why or why not?

How does the company's location affect production and distribution of its products?

Source:  The Plain Dealer, "Pierre's Ice Cream Whips Up New Venture" -- May 17, 2007. Janet H. Cho, Reporter