NEW YORK – One of the greatest branded taste-makers of the 20th century was the late Louis Sherry. Most Americans today would know the Louis Sherry name from the defunct ice cream brand, sold in small purple quart containers, or the Louis Sherry candy tins, which are still sold.
The person of Louis Sherry (1855-1926) was a prominent New York City restaurateur, candy maker and entrepreneur. Some reports have him born in France, as well as St. Alban’s, Vermont. Records from the National Archives show him as born Sept. 24, 1855, and English, arriving in the U.S. on March 10, 1868, and residing at 524 Fifth Avenue. His occupation was simply “caterer.”
(His grand nephew added more information to the story in a comment in a blog post, saying that he was Irish, but born in Quebec, making him Canadian, and British.)
While his name is now associated with a defunct ice cream (and now an exclusive revived candy), Louis Sherry was more than that. He built his brand as a hotelier and restaurateur to the Gilded Age. His catering served The 400, a list of the most elite society Americans chronicled by Ward McAllister.
Hotel Restaurant Fame
Beginning at the Brunswick Hotel at 26th St & Fifth Avenues, then the Elberon Hotel in Elberon, N.J, he eventually opened his own restaurant at 38th Street and 6th Avenue. During the first decades of the 20th century, his good love for food and entertaining allowed him to create an empire that encompassed coffee, candy, restaurants and, later, the Sherry-Netherland.
Hotelier Lucius Boomer founded the company with the late Louis Sherry after Sherry’s Fifth Avenue restaurant closed. Sherry and Boomer together developed The Sherry-Netherland at 781 Fifth Avenue, New York, which opened in 1927. There, residents of the hotel apartments could eat from the Sherry kitchen, and live the promise of his way of life. Boomer, who had begun working in Flagler hotels in Florida, opened the new Waldorf-Astoria in 1931.
Such was Sherry’s fame with cooking that the brand continued long after his death, with restaurants and candies. The brand, according to a 1950 Time magazine article reporting on the sale, was then partially owned by Mrs. Lucius M. Boomer, the widow of the Waldorf-Astoria‘s longtime chairman.
Sherry was not only a caterer to the elite. During World War I, he put together a catering wagon for the Army, proving his interest in elevating the tastes of all, particularly in wartime.
The kitchen costs $7,000 and was presented to the Engineers by Louis Sherry of New York.
Subject: Number C n 3010 AU, 165-WW 223C23, Photographer Und. & Und. (c), Rec’d Feb. 1918.
His fame was international. The late columnist Walter Winchell in 1942 wrote that the restaurant was challenged only by Delmonico’s, what he called a piece of “solid, quiet swank” vastly different than new places like the Rainbow Room and Fefe’s Monte Carlo.
His obituary from the Woodlawn Cemetery tells of his promotional and presentation skills:
When the ‘Mikado’ opened in New York, Sherry cornered the market in Japanese parasols and ornaments used in cake decoration. He began to receive orders from the carriage trade. He said of this, ‘Nothing goes further with dainty people than dainty decorations.’
The brand thrived after his death. It sold out to Childs’ Company, a publicly traded restaurant chain, in 1950. By the 1970s, it was still a favorite ice cream, and known nationally. By 2009, according to the USPTO, the name was owned by Borden and Beatrice Foods.
Comments below this story tell a bit more about the brand, as well as personal recollections about the ice cream plant in Brooklyn.
Note: This original post from 2009 was updated May 13, 2023.
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As a little kid in the 50’s I had an uncle who worked at the Louis Sherry plant in Brooklyn. He would bring us vanilla/chocolate/strawberry ice cream “bricks” packaged in cardboard boxes with DRY ICE. It was the most amazing thing we could imagine, ice that smoked and would burn our fingers if we held it in our hands. But the best thing he brought us was at Thanksgiving. It was ice cream forms molded in the shape of Turkeys. Still the best ice cream I ever had
My dad worked for Beatrice Food Company which bought Louis Sherry Ice Cream company in the 1970’s I think. He sold Louis Sherry ice cream to restaurants and stores in Massachusetts. It was very difficult to get stores to carry it because it was so expensive. We had a freezer in our basement full of samples. We were so spoiled. My dad just passed away in August of this year and would probably have told you with his dying breath that Louis Sherry was the best and Ben and Jerry’s was awful. We joked about it all the time. Louis Sherry made the best ice cream ever!
What wonderful stories are found here !
When I was a little girl in the 50s in New York
My local drug store and pharmacy sold Louis sherry ice cream cones and cups
The cups were tiny and the vanilla bean with real vanilla had a scent you could smell from
Across the room
I’ve never found “anything” to compare EVER
So lovely to read all these comments
Thank you
Lynn ???
Rancho Mirage Ca and manhattan
Nov 28th 2020?
Agree donna. It was a special treat in our house too.
Hello,
I knew a Gentleman who worked at Louis Sherry Ice-cream factory located at Kent Ave Brooklyn, his name was Harris M Davis, he was a very kind man, I was around 11 yrs old and lived right across the street from Louis Sherry, Mr Davis would bring ice cream and give to the kids on the block, it was a huge treat for all. I remember his kindness and advises, I have often thought about him throughout my life , he dedicated a children’s bible to me in 1979 that I have read to my children and I now read to my grandchildren. I hope he’s well today and if hes gone, I’m confident he’s in heaven sitting by Jesus Christ.
Every summer as a kid I’d travel from Detroit to visit my cousin in New York..My cousin who lived on the Grand Concourse in the Bronx use to have a luncheonette that served this ice cream,,,OMG, I can still taste it, such memories. Coffee was our favorite. Has anyone out there ever found if anyone still makes it? I would make the trip we now live on the Eastern Shores Of Maryland.
My Father’s pet name for me was Louie, because my nickname was Sherry and the only ice cream I liked was Louis Sherry Cherry Vanilla – what a sweet memory!
Donald Fox. I have the ice cream scoop as well. Recv’d as a gift in 1976. I use it all the time…cuts through hard ice cream when others utensils will not
I worked at the “French” Tea room ( run by some wonderful Greeks) at West 181st street in the summer of 1961. We had Louis Sherry ice cream there it was delicious. The strawberry ice cream had straw berries as big as golf balls. my favorite was pistachio. An ice cream soda made with chocolate soda and pistachio icecream was to die for as was a pineapple soda with their choclate ice cream.
Back in the late 1970s, in the Washington D.C./Northern Virginia/Maryland area, Louis Sherry ice cream was sold in several supermarket chains, including Giant Foods. The rum raisin flavor, for some reason, was marketed there only during the Thanksgiving/Christmas period. When it hit the freezer shelves, word spread fast, and folks rushed to get the stuff before it was gone. There were even telephone networks in use to pass the word, so popular was this variety among knowledgeable residents of the region. I have been long gone from that area and have no idea whether it is still sold there or not, either seasonally or otherwise.
I’m still pining for Their SWISS CHOCOLATE ALMOND!!! THE FINEST ever!!!
Please Oh Please Someone BRING IT BACK!!! We haven’t had it since the 70’s!!!
*******AND CHARGE $7 A PINT!!!*******
*******TOTALLY WORTH IT!*******
I have not tasted a brand of ice cream that can compare to Louis Sherry ice cream. It was more expensive than the competitors, but more than worth it. I loved their chocolate flavor!!!! It seemed like the perfect blend: light, whipped, smooth, and not too sweet; almost perfectly sweet. I have raved about Louis Sherry for years. So much so, that many of my friends and family searched high and lo to find it for me and to taste if for themselves. All to no avail. I truly wish that Louis Sherry would make a new grand entrance. I am certain that ice cream lovers would marvel, taste, enjoy, and become Louis Sherry loyalists. I’d love to see Louis Sherry return to the market unchanged and true to its original recipe and packaging. Wow o wow….. It’s awesome. .. a one of a kind experience.
totally agree..i am not sure what was so special about it but it was a truly special ice cream brand.
Arnolds Drug Store on Purchase Street, Rye
usedd to sell Louis Sherry Ice Cream…..
the strawberry flavor was soooo good and itd
had real strawberrys in it….I wonder if they
still make it somewhere……..
I worked at a luncheonete on 84th St and 37th Ave in Jackson Heights, NY during WWll. About 1943-45. Started picking up the newspapers dropped off at 82 st and Roosevelt ave. Was eleven years old. They served Louis Sheri ice cream. Remember when the vanilla came with vanilla bean seed. Took awhile for customers to stop complaining about the specks. The owners were brothers, of Greek descent. They taught me to work the fountain and started me cooking. They sold the store and bought one out in Jamaica on Supthen Blvd. Went to work there about 1947, left in 1949 when I joined the Navy
My father worked for Louis sherry. He would bring home tons of this delicious treat. At times we did not have enough room in our freezer. This ice cream was sooooo yummy…. I was a little girl from Brooklyn.
Hello,
I knew a Gentleman who worked at Louis Sherry Ice-cream factory located at Kent Ave Brooklyn, his name was Harris M Davis, he was a very kind man, I was around 11 yrs old and lived right across the street from Louis Sherry, Mr Davis would bring ice cream and give to the kids on the block, it was a huge treat for all. I remember his kindness and advises, I have often thought about him throughout my life , he dedicated a children’s bible to me in 1979 which I still have and read to my children and I now read to my grandchildren.
Can you kindly ask your dad if he remembers him?
Thank you,
Orlando
In the late 1970’s I lived right across the street from a Louis Sherry Ice factory in Kent Ave Brooklyn NY, there work several nice gentlemen who every Friday use to bring boxes of free Ice cream for the kids in the block, I remember it being a great tasting ice cream, it use to be so fresh I think it closed down in the 1980’s it was sad to see the factory close down, please back fun memories.
Where or Where can I taste Louis Sherry’s vanilla ice cream once again? It is the Standard by which I judge all vanilla ice cream. My mother would take me to the local drugstore on Linden Blvd. and help me climb up on an ice cream parlor chair. Then she would bring me this dish from Heaven. It was pale yellow and had flecks of vanilla bean throughout.
Please let me know where I might get Louis Sherry Vanilla Bean ice cream. It was the absolute best. I now live in Maine. There must be some distributor. It was available in Columbus, OH several years ago. It’s got to be available somehow.
I have engaged in a life-long search for an ice cream that tastes like Louis Sherry’s vanilla (or is it French vanilla) ice cream my grandmother used to serve me. The closest I have come to is Haagen Dazs’ rum raisin — only because I remember a slightly alcoholic taste to it. Does anybody have other suggestions?
They sell Louis Sherry chocolates at Mary Mahoney on Worth Ave in Palm Beach. Definitely some of the best chocolates I have ever had. Actually stumbled upon this website looking for somewhere I can order some online but cant seem to find any.
i for got to add its was in 1932
i have a tin that the broadway gun girl owned. her husband had gifted it to her. i have done a little research on it but would love to sell. email me sentryfloorservice@yahoo.com
They still sell Louis Sherry chocolates at The Plaza Food Hall in New York. I bought some for my mom for mothers day and they were delicious!
It says only Louis Sherry on the sign and is purple in the backround
I have a 1950″s plug in sign 18 inches by 14 inches… I perfect condition… Still works… I would rather give it to the family if they would like to buy it… I had it in my store for many years. barryh4456@aol.com
i found a stock certificate dated 1968. Louis Sherry, Inc. any value in it?
My favorite was Butter Almond/Chocolate. Used to buy it at Safeway Stores in Maryland. Would love to have some again!
I grew up eatting plenty of Lewis Sherry ice cream. My father worked at the plant at 777 Kent Ave in Brooklyn. As a kid I was there a few times and remember getting to taste the ice cream right after it came out of the machine, talk about ice cream flavor!!!!!
I was born in Brooklyn, NY (Nov 1932). I remember Louis Sherry Ice Cream very well. Wonderful! I have a 9 1/2 long Louis Sherry ice cream scoop, heavy stainless steel with a 5 inch fine wooden handle. Maybe a rare item?
there never was and never will be another ice cream like Louis Sherry. What happy memories it evokes. Thank you, God, for Louis Sherry.
Please help me locate a retail shop that has Louis
Sherry Chocolates.
I am attempting to find a retail shop that sells Louis
Sherry chocolates. I am only able able to locate places that have other Louis Sherry products. I
would appreciate it very much if someone would
contact me. I am the Jack Dobrow from Florida,not
the one from New York. If you are interested in
poetry, please see my web site: jackdobrow.com
I
remember eating Louis Sherry ice cream in
Louis Sherry candy store was located in
East Atlantic Beach Long /Long Beach it was near Brookline and Beach Blvd in the early 40’s. It was the best ice cream I ever tasted. It was so rich the vanilla was slightly yellow from the butterfat. It wouldn’t completely harden. I brought it home to my folks one day and they wouldnt eat anything else.
My wife just bought some “Butter Brittle” and I remembered the best in the world from Louis Sherry, Butter Brickle
As a kid in Queens, NY, I’d spend weekends at my Aunt Rose’s and she always gave me Louis Sherry ice cream – it was the best!!!
Is his ice cream still available anywhere? As a kid and young adult I would eat only this ice cream. It was incredible. I have been searching to find out if they are still in business. If so, PLEASE let me know where I can get it.
I also have located an old stock certificate of Louis
Sherry Inc and wonder if there is any interest in it. please
contact me
Was there ever any more beautiful packaging than the purple chosen to package the ice cream and the candies.
My grandfather and grandmother Peter and Edna Koch knew Louis Sherry. I heard the name mentioned quite often over the years. …long after Mr. Sherry had passed away.
louis sherry’s cherry vanilla had whole cherries in it many of them to be exact it was awesome — glenn leslie
Hi,
My mother-in-law is the granddaughter of Louis Sherry and she grew up in New York at the restaurant and in the Sherry Netherland hotel. We would be very interested in buying the old stock certificate of Louis Sherry Inc. We would also love to talk to the friend of Paul who is a decendent of Louis Sherry to find out the connection. My mother-in-law’s maiden name is Virginia Sherry
Just bought a 1921 Louis Sherry stamped silver plated lidded creamer in art nouveau style. Believe it may have been part of his catering kit after he closed his restaurant in 1919. Gorgeous heavy (1 lb. 2 oz) piece with heavy patina. Has an attached drip plate and the lid is hinged for filling. Do you think your friend would be interested? Thanks!
I have a 500 share certificate of Louis Sherry stock. Are you interested in buying it?
I also have located an old stock certificate of Louis Sherry Inc and wonder if there is any interest in it.
Hi Ron,
If you are interested in selling the stock certificate my friend is a decedent of Louis Sherry and she collects many of the memorabilia.
Just bought a 1921 Louis Sherry stamped silver plated lidded creamer in art nouveau style. Believe it may have been part of his catering kit after he closed his restaurant in 1919. Gorgeous heavy (1 lb. 2 oz) piece with heavy patina. Has an attached drip plate and the lid is hinged for filling. Do you think your friend would be interested? Thanks!
vorrei assaggiare i gelati luis sharry. ma in italia ci sono?
I located a Louis Sherry inc. stock certificate.
Is this certificate, still listed on any stock exchange?
or have any value?
many wedding receptions took place at louis sherrys on park ave in the mid 40’s.when did it close??
my dad metioned this ice cream he said it was expensive but the taste was worth it. aw man! i wish i could try some of this ice cream!