ONE-ON-ONE: Chris and Steve from Tubby Robot Ice Cream Factory
Nestled between Jake's and Cooper's wine bar and Gigi Italian Bistro, this little ice cream parlor has a BIG surprise inside. Tubby Robot Ice Cream Factory opened its doors on March 16, and business has been booming since! There's a huge twist with this ice cream shop, and no we're not talking about soft serve -- a vintage arcade game can be played while enjoying your sundae, and it's displayed outside the shop on large screens on the wall across the alley. We have never seen anything like this here in Manayunk, let alone ever! The simplistic design of this parlor is complemented by colorful tile murals, and wood and steel craftsmanship. Owners Chris Maguire and Steve Wright Jr. demonstrated their dedication to perfection when developing this business. We sat down with Chris to learn a little more about this new booming shop on Main Street. Find out just why Tubby Robot Ice Cream Factory is working hard every day to keep up with Manayunk's high demand for their homemade ice cream!
Where exactly did the "tubby robot" come from?
"It's a character that I've been drawing for years -- I made it up. I used to use him when I was a web developer and people seemed to love him, so I decided to use him for the business."
How many flavors do you serve?
"Sixteen-- we rotate flavors frequently. Every week there is something new to try."
Are all ice creams made in shop?
"Yes, we make everything here ourselves."
What is the most satisfying thing about owning your own business?
"The best thing is handing a customer ice cream and seeing the smile on their face. Seeing that hundreds of times a day is absolutely amazing."
What inspired the video game addition? Have you seen it before or did you innovate this yourself?
"I've never seen it before. I combined my two favorite things into my business: ice cream and games. It's great to see a new generation who is not familiar with arcade games play and enjoy them so much."
What was the most challenging thing about opening up your own business?
"The permits. This was my first brick and mortar business, and I found it challenging."
What do you love about Manayunk?
"First and foremost, I love all of the restaurants in such a close proximity. It's such a lively neighborhood with all different kinds of people."
Is there any additional information you would like to let our readers know about the Tubby Robot?
"Our main goal is to provide you with a great tasting sundae. We are constantly combining and innovating with different temperatures and textures to provide a new sundae experience."
Overall, this little shop has a lot to offer. Their homemade ice cream, as well as the beautiful design of the parlor, is quite impressive. See it for yourself-- this spot is a must-try on a hot day!
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