Bischoff’s Ice Cream — a family business specializing in massive sundaes, sherbets, candy and more — will close its doors permanently after more than 88 years in Bergen County.
“We’re closing for good on New Year’s Eve,” Steven Mather, owner of Bischoff’s on Cedar Lane in Teaneck, told NJ Advance Media on Tuesday.
Mather didn’t say why the shop was closing. According to Bischoff’s website, the business started in the 1800s in New York City before moving to Teaneck in 1934.
Earlier this summer, Bischoff’s earned a spot on NJ.com’s list of New Jersey’s 65 greatest ice cream shops.
“The place is dripping in old school charm, from the counter in the front to the clam shell-shaped booths in the back,” NJ.com wrote at the time.
“Bischoff’s has a plethora of classic flavors that are excellently executed, like coffee chip and cookie crush. But you’re here for the sundaes, which are so massive they could easily feed three,” NJ.com wrote.
The shop offers 40 flavors of ice cream, sugar-free ice cream, ice milks, sherbets and ices. “Step through our doors and step back in time,” the website says.
In addition to ice cream, hot fudge, floats and other sweets, Bischoff’s is known for its lunch specials, including roast beef sandwiches, double cheeseburgers and seafood salads.
The store doesn’t make or sell French fries, however, noting on its website that grease from a fryer would ruin the chocolate.
Among Bischoff’s regular customers was longtime Sesame Street star Bob McGrath, who died Sunday at age 90. McGrath lived in Teaneck before moving to Norwood in Bergen County.
Albert Bischoff started the business more than four generations ago, passing the business down through his daughters. The first shop opened near the Hippodrome Theater in New York City in the late 1800s before relocating to Teaneck, according to the company’s website.
“We offer an old-fashioned ice cream soda fountain experience complete with spinning stools at the counter, wait staff wearing paper hats and bow ties, and egg creams,” the website says.
Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.