G&D's

Little Clarendon Street, looking west. G&D's is just on the left.

George and Davis' Ice Cream Cafe (and its sister shop 'George & Danver') has been referred to by the local and national press, BBC television, international travel guides and by the local 'town' (non-student residents) and 'gown' (students) as an 'Oxford institution'. This is, of course, a bit of a tongue-in-cheek reference given that Oxford is a town of ancient and world-famous institutions, particularly those associated with Oxford University which was founded in the 1200s; however, this reference reflects the esteem in which this small, eccentric and friendly business is held. The original shop was founded in 1992 by George Stroup, an American Oxford University student with the active help of an assortment of his friends including fellow students (not least team mates from the University's ice hockey team) and staff from the University. The shop in Little Clarendon Street soon flourished, selling not only ice cream, but also other items on George's list of favourites including brownies, chocolate cake, and bagels. The shops pride themselves on being inviting to everyone but most of their customers are students. Each of the shops has its own 'quirky' atmosphere, and fun and games are an integral part of shop life. Contests to win half litres of ice cream feature every week, with challenges such as throwing a cow through a basketball hoop, and mooing competitions. On Tuesday nights, patrons receive a twenty percent discount for bringing anything with a cow on it, in accordance with the shops theme of cows, which cover every available surface. Customers are also invited to fill out a 'flavour petition' in which they can create a flavour, which, if thirty people sign it, will get made. The shop can be quite busy with cues (lines) of people extending out the door (especially at night) and becomes a bit of a 'scene' in nicest sense, with lively conversations and good humour abounding. Many students and some prominent scholars and authors credit G&Ds with helping them persevere in their endeavours. It is a popular meeting place, including for informal tutorials and seminars. In 2003, the G&D's team openned a second shop on the corner of Pembroke street and St Aldates (opposite Christ Church College). This shop complements the original and has more space, a larger service area, and a more accessible location to the mainstream public. All the ice cream is still made on the premises in the Little Clarendon Street shop. In terms of competition, the only other ice cream-themed shops that have appeared in Oxford have been two outlets of the multi-national Häagen-Dazs chain: one opened in Cornmarket St. (c.a. 1993) but closed within a few years; the other opened in George Street (c.a. 1998) and suffered the same fate. Oxford's 'town and gown' feel a strong loyalty towards G&D's (as the company is affectionately known), which they view as 'Oxford's Own'; this phrase is now incorporated in the company's logo. The flow of people from all nations through Oxford has given G&D's a worldwide reputation; whether you are in Accra, New York, Islamabad or Tokyo, mention G&D's to people who have been to Oxford and smiles appear.

Flavours

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

Blueberry ('Oxford Blue'), Mars Bar, Double Decker, Mango sorbet (a.k.a. 'Corey's Fix' [this apparently refers to former G&D's volunteer and now Mayor of Newark, NJ]), White Chocolate, Green Tea, Passion fruit sorbet, After Eight mint, Mint Aero, Crunchie Bar, Belgian Chocolate, Gin and Tonic Sorbet, Bailey's Irish Cream, Grand Marnier, Turkish Delight, Kenyan Coffee, Pistachio, Strawberry, Raspberry, and Lavender and Honey ('Smelly Bee').

They have produced some wild 'experimental' flavours, such as Port and Blue Cheese, Guinness, and Chocolate and Chilli.

External links

• gdcafe.com G&D's official site