GandD's

History

G&D's was founded in 1992 by two Oxford students, George Stroup and Davis Roberts, who gave their names to the original café in Little Clarendon Street. Their motivation for opening an “Ice-cream café” stemmed from a lack of real ice-cream in Oxford, as well as the need for bright, friendly spaces for residents to meet. George and Davis’ filled a niche in Oxford’s day and night life, as it opened from 8am-midnight every day of the week, and sourced fresh, local ingredients for its ice-cream, which continues to be made on site today.

Having gone from strength to strength, G&D's opened a second branch, George and Danver, on the corner of St. Aldates and Pembroke Street in 2001. A second production room was created in this shop, to make daily a selection of baked goods which the shops now offer. G&D’s ice-cream bikes became a common feature around Oxford, as both ice-cream and bakery items are cycled from shop to shop.

In 2007 a third shop, George and Delila, was opened on the Cowley Road. It has become a venue for music events and informal concerts.

Competition

The only other ice cream-themed shops in Oxford in recent years have been two outlets of the multi-national Häagen-Dazs chain: one opened in Cornmarket Street (c.a. 1993), the other opened in George Street (c.a. 1998); both shops closed within a few years of opening. Oxford's town and gown feel a loyalty towards G&D′s which they view as 'Oxford's Own'; this phrase is now incorporated in the company's logo. The flow of scholars and tourists from all nations through Oxford has given G&D′s a worldwide reputation, evident in the coverage in various international travel books including Lonely Planet. All three shops also have a "Knowledge is Good" chalk board where the staff post different questions regularly. If a customer answers the question correctly he/she will win a free scoop of ice cream.

Flavours

The shops are known for their wide variety of ice cream flavours, including:

G&Ds has also produced experimental flavors such as: