- Source: Ample Hills
Ample Hills is an American ice cream company. Founded by Brian Smith and Jackie Cuscuna as a pushcart in 2010, the company became known for its "playful" flavors. Their first storefront, in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, opened in 2011, selling out 130 gallons of ice cream in just 4 days. It soon expanded into a chain prominent in New York City, with additional locations at one point in Disney World and Los Angeles.
The company filed for bankruptcy in March 2020 prior to the COVID-19 pandemic due to operating losses from its Red Hook factory, and other self-described business mistakes. Schmitt Industries acquired Ample Hills from bankruptcy for $1 million. The founders signed a lease to open a new ice cream company and shop, the Social, in March 2021. Due to failure to pay rent and expenses, Schmitt Industries closed all Ample Hills locations on December 19, 2022.
Ample Hills reopened in June 2023, with original owners Brian Smith and Jackie Cuscuna having bought it back after it went into receivership. However, by late 2023, the pair had exited the still-operating company.