Brian Smith and Jackie Cuscuna, known for their unique ice cream flavors at Ample Hills, have launched a new venture called Ramblin' Chick, a sandwich shop. Their ice cream business grew rapidly from a pushcart to multiple locations but ultimately faced bankruptcy. Despite past challenges, their new establishment embodies a playful and adventurous spirit, featuring a whimsical mascot inspired by American folk culture. The duo's journey reflects a blend of creativity and resilience in the food industry.
"The duo always had a cheery, 'we did a thing' vibe, and so did their ice cream: wacky but educated combinations of flavors like Snap, Mallow, Pop (marshmallow and Rice Krispies) and It Came From the Gowanus (dark fudge with caramel)."
"Their new enterprise is a fast-casual, kid-friendly Carroll Gardens sandwich shop called Ramblin' Chick, whose mascot is a bindle-toting hen roaming America in the spirit of Woody Guthrie's 'Ramblin' Round.'"
"One store led to many, led to a factory, led to personal and professional bankruptcies, led to demise. That story is well known, but while the intervening years have dinged the allure of Obama-era schmaltz, the indefatigable Smith and Cuscuna still seem to exemplify that earlier, questing tweeness."
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