Penn students can now quench their summer sweet cravings with an organic frozen treat.
Lil’ Pop Shop, which officially opened at 44th and Spruce streets on May 8, offers all-natural artisan popsicles.
The owner Jeanne Chang has been impressed with the success so far. Lil’ Pop Shop’s official opening was “way above my expectations,” she said.
Employee Kate Goodman said the shop has attracted Penn and Drexel students, diverse families and local children from West Philadelphia.
With Honest Tom’s Taco Shop, Tampopo and Local 44 Bottle Shop nearby, Chang feels lucky to be situated in the lively neighborhood. “I feel like it’s a blossoming street, and I feel like I can contribute a unique product,” Chang said.
The Lil’ Pop Shop currently offers 12 non-traditional flavors, including Vietnamese coffee, lime mint, mango sriracha and chocolate with salted caramel brownie. The ingredients for these pops are all-natural and come from sources such as the Rhubarb-King Family Farm.
“We use local dairy and whole foods, so our flavors will change with the season,” Chang said. In the fall, she plans to have holiday-related flavors such as eggnog, peppermint and pumpkin.
Though the Lil’ Pop Shop did not market its opening, it has gained quite some publicity.
“Online media web posts have been written about us,” Chang said. “There’s a lot of word-of-mouth too.”
Rising College junior Amanda Mauri, a frequenter of Lil’ Pop Shop, decided to try it from her friend’s recommendation. She said that the popsicles are “a really nice dessert if you’re out for dinner.”
Mauri expected the $3 popsicles to cost a dollar each, but “their organic products are very good and very interesting,” she said. “It’s reasonable for what it is, despite being a little bit expensive for a popsicle.”
“I think it’s worth it,” added Penn Dental student Eunice Lee. “Artisan popsicles are a new thing that has come up. I’m up for paying for the quality and for something new and exciting.”
Mauri said she would definitely bring her friends to Lil’ Pop Shop, describing it as a “social and happy place to be” where “everyone knows everyone.”
Lee has already brought 12 of her classmates to the shop. ”I went almost every day since last Friday,” she said. “Go for a drink, hang out, get a popsicle.”
Lil’ Pop Shop is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from noon to 9 p.m., and on Sundays from noon to 5 p.m.
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