Cloud Cups announced the grand opening of their new gelato scoop shop, cafe and production facility on Tuesday, March 19th, with doors opening at 1:00pm and free gelato from 3:00pm to 5:00pm, one scoop per person, for the first 100 people.
Owner and Gelato Artist Galen Thomas will debut the 2,000 square feet location at MaKen Studios 1st floor, 3525 I Street, Philadelphia, PA 19134. For the opening, look for the launch of nationwide shipping, citywide delivery, new all natural gelato scented candles, new Cloud Cups merchandise, new collaboration flavors and an all new nondairy vegan line of gelato (on top of the already existing vegan sorbets). Opening flavors will include two flavors with French Toast Bites by Lokal Artistan Foods to remember Thomas’ dear friend Charisse McGill who recently passed away, along with new flavors in partnership with the famous Elkins Park Cheesecake Lady. Each month look for new collaborations to raise up and support other Black, Brown, Female, LGBT and other minority owned businesses. Opening hours for Cloud Cups will be Wednesday to Sunday, 1:00pm to 8:00pm to start, with expanded hours/days as nice weather arrives in later March/ early April.
“For as long as I can remember I have always dreamed about opening my own gelato shop and cafe,” said Thomas in a statement. “When I was first introduced to the space at Maken Studios I walked in and said ‘I am home’ this is it. The space is the perfect size for our giant brand new gelato case. It comes with ample space for production and classes, offices for my staff and co-working down the road, tables and counter seating, merchandise, lounge and so much more. We gave the space a ceiling to floor make-over in our Cloud Cups theme where the minute you walk in you feel like you are walking on clouds. We had one of my favorite artists design custom murals and it is everything I always hoped for – and more.”
Thomas added, “I want to thank Shift Capital and MaKen Studios for the hospitality and believing in my vision. They really have been terrific partners along this exciting journey and I am so grateful to have their support behind us in this new space.”
“We’re thrilled to welcome Cloud Cups to the MaKen Studios North community in Harrowgate and Kensington,” said Ashton Simmons, President of Operations at SHIFT Capital, the owner and developer of MaKen Studios. “At MaKen and SHIFT, we constantly look to provide opportunities for small businesses to grow. During the three years Cloud Cups produced at our MaKen Studios South, we got to know Galen – the man and the entrepreneur – and fell in love with one of Philly’s most savory, health-focused, and soul-filled gelatos. We saw the possibilities with Galen to grow. So, we partnered to build Cloud Cups’ fresh storefront and production house. Creating opportunity for a Philly-borne Black-owned business to expand its footprint in Philly and beyond. And creating a neighborhood place for residents, families, and friends to enjoy a scoop, a pint, and creative sweet treats.”
The new Cloud Cups located in MaKen Studios North, will include a scoop shop, cafe, lounge, production facility and offices. The star of the show is a brand new gelato case that will showcase the rainbow of flavors each and every day- with up to 36 full pans and 72 half pans. Flavors will include the more than 100+ flavors already in Thomas’ recipe books and many new ones to come. Look for flavors of the week and month, special collaborations, and a new non dairy and vegan line of gelatos. Cloud Cups will also serve up Cloud-nini’s stuffed pastry with gelato and sorbet inside.
For the opening, special collaborations will include the return of French Toast Bites gelatos in memory of his dear friend Charisse McGill, who is also remembered on the mural in the shop. A new collaboration will also include not one but two flavors with cheesecake from the famous Cheesecake Lady in Elkins Park. Down the road, look for other food partners, plus the launch of a coffee and pastry program.
For partnerships and collaborations, Thomas has a vision and feels it is important to partner with at least one if not more minority small business each and every month. He wants to raise up and give opportunities to other businesses, as he has been given. Look for collaboration flavors with Black, Brown, Female, LGBT, Asian and other minority owned businesses. He will also partner with local foodies, community members and influencers on special flavors throughout the year.
A larger facility means Thomas will now as of today offer nationwide shipping, and also citywide delivery through Uber Eats and Door Dash. New Cloud Cups merchandise will also debut, including a special collaboration with Black-owned business Realignd.co and owner Victoria Pickens (Thomas’ finance) who has designed an all natural line of Cloud Cups gelato scented candles. Candles are all natural and feature apricot coco creme wax, wooden wicks and premium flavors like Waffle Cone, Mint Chocolate Chip, Cereal Milk, Strawberries and Creme, Limoncello and more to come. Down the road, look for gelato classes, Cloud Cups coworking and more.
Thomas attended Frozen Dessert University in North Carolina and The Carpigiani Gelato University in Illinois. He founded the business officially in 2018 – and has continued to grow and expand first with mobile sales, his mobile gelato cart, a scoop shop in Fishtown, and now a full cafe, shop and production facility in Juniata/ Kensington. He will continue to sell at festivals, fairs, catering and through special order. Stay tuned for the reopening of his gelato counter in Fishtown as the nice weather breaks.
