FOX Business correspondent Jeff Flock joined FOX Business\u2019 Maria Bartiromo on “Mornings with Maria<\/a>” to spotlight the company\u2019s history and how it has remained family-owned for more than 165 years despite the challenges that force many small businesses to sell or shut down.<\/p>\n Bassetts Ice Cream in Philadelphia (photohoo \/ Getty Images)<\/p>\n Founded while Abraham Lincoln was president, Bassett\u2019s originally churned its ice cream using mule power before transporting it into Philadelphia by horse and buggy.<\/p>\n FOURTH OF JULY COOKOUT PRICES HIT RECORD HIGH AS AMERICA CELEBRATES 250TH BIRTHDAY<\/a><\/p>\n “We love a family business<\/a>. We feel that our ice cream is a tradition, this is a family company, and we are so proud to be serving America and Philadelphia with a family business,” sixth-generation owner Alex Bassett Strange said.<\/p>\n FOX Business’ Gerri Willis visits America’s oldest bell maker in Connecticut to see how the nearly 200-year-old company is helping ring in the nation’s 250th birthday while preserving U.S. history.<\/p>\n While the company is rooted in tradition, it continues to evolve. Bassett\u2019s now exports ice cream to markets including China and Taiwan<\/a>, giving the company opportunities to develop new flavors.<\/p>\n HOW A STOLEN SURFBOARD LAUNCHED A GLOBAL SURF EMPIRE<\/a><\/p>\n “That\u2019s right, so we export some ice cream\u2026 It\u2019s helped us develop into new markets\u2026 I have my matcha ice cream, which is a flavor we never would have done had we not been in Southeast Asia<\/a>,” Strange said.<\/p>\n FOX Business’ Madison Alworth visits the Pennsylvania family bakery that accidentally invented the hard pretzel more than 165 years ago and is still making the iconic American snack five generations later.<\/p>\n The company has also expanded its offerings with new flavors, including a limited-edition red, white and blueberry variety for America\u2019s semiquincentennial celebration<\/a>, and introduced its first vegan ice cream this year while continuing to use Pennsylvania dairy for its traditional products.<\/p>\n![\"Bassetts](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/bassett-ice-cream.png\")
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