A Savannah Tradition Since 1919

Leopold’s Ice Cream was founded in 1919 by three immigrant brothers from Greece — George, Peter, and Basil Leopold. They learned the art of candy and dessert manufacturing from an uncle who had settled earlier in America. The brothers perfected the secret formulas and created the world famous Leopold’s Ice Cream.  They opened the original store on the corner of Gwinnett and Habersham Streets in Savannah, a fortunate location because two streetcar lines intersected there.  Many riders would jump off the streetcar and entreat the motorman to wait as they got a frozen delight!

Stratton Leopold, Peter’s youngest child (pictured  above with his father and below in front of the original store) was schooled in the ice cream business since childhood.  Stratton took over the family business upon his father’s passing. He later left Savannah and became a Hollywood Motion Picture Producer.  He has produced films such as “Mission Impossible 3,” “The Sum of All Fears” and “The General’s Daughter.” Stratton has also worked on  many other blockbuster hits such as “The Big Chill” and “The Adventures of Baron Munchausen.”

Generations of Savannahians have loved Leopold’s Ice Cream.  During the early years, food service was added, and Savannah began enjoying tasty treats such as hamburgers, baby clubs, pimento cheese sandwiches and many others.  Leopold’s soda fountain business was legendary.  Everyone remembers the fabulous malts, milk shakes, black and white sodas, banana splits and many more. 

 Famed lyricist Johnny Mercer (pictured below) grew up a block away from Leopold’s and was a faithful customer when he was home from Hollywood.  He even told Peter he would write a song about Leopold’s famous “Tutti-Frutti” ice cream, which had become a Leopold’s hallmark and Savannah’s favorite.  Leopold’s Ice Cream and sherbet molds were a holiday highlight in Savannah’s finest clubs.  Leopold’s Ice Cream parlor was always a popular destination after concerts, dances, and football games.

In 2004, Stratton and his wife Mary reopened the legendary family business.  Leopold’s Ice Cream is manufactured directly on the premises using the original, secret recipes handed down since 1919! The shop proudly uses many fixtures from the original store including the black marble soda fountain, back bar and wooden telephone booth.  There are also dozens of displays of movie memorabilia from Stratton’s lengthy film career.