Back in September, a bunch of Texans apparently wrote in a survey that they really wanted the upstate New York grocery store Wegmans here in the Lone Star State. Sounds great! Who wouldn’t want Wegmans?
But can the same be said about another upstate New York business? What about Abbott’s Frozen Custard, the soft-serve ice cream joint that’s temporarily closing up shop entirely in the Houston area after Nov. 14? Yup, the Abbott’s in Atascocita, which opened a little more than a year ago, posted a goodbye note to its fans on Nov. 12.
“After a sweet time of serving this community, we’re closing up shop,” read the note. “But don’t worry. We’re already exploring new opportunities to bring Abbott’s Frozen Custard back to the Houston area someday.”
One of those opportunities is pending already. Just last month, according to Houston Business Journal, Abbott’s signed a lease to enter a 155,000-square-foot shopping center near Baybrook Mall.
That location is scheduled to open in 2026. But for a few months, at least, there will be one heck of a custard-sized hole in Southeast Texas.
Custard explosion
Nevertheless, one franchisee has some big plans to make Texas an Abbott’s state. The Rochester Business Journal reported in 2024 that Southern Scoops LLC aims to bring more than 100 Abbott’s stores to the Lone Star State within 10 years.
“The quality of the product and the legacy of the Abbott’s brand is what were most compelling to us,” Southern Scoops LLC President and CEO Barry Barron told the RBJ.
Abbott’s started way back in 1902 when Arthur Abbott started serving frozen custard to folks across the east coast. In the 1920s Abbott would settle in Rochester, N.Y., on the shores of Lake Ontario near the Finger Lakes and known for both Wegmans and a regional food experience called the “garbage plate.” Abbott’s expanded to Texas in 2024.
When the lights dim in Atascocita, there will be four active Abbott’s locations in Texas: Kyle, Lubbock, McKinney and Prosper. But that Baybrook store is on its way, as is a location in Hutto. A Spring location is also possible, according to the HBJ report. Beyond that … we’ll just see what Mr. Barron has in store.
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This article originally published at 100-year-old ice cream franchise leaving Houston area-but there’s a twist.
