Here's the Scoop: No Scoops

This will probably mean nothing to Manhattan-centric readers, but: Jahn's Ice Cream Parlor has closed its doors for good.

A landmark is a landmark, and this one was in Richmond Hill, Queens, and had been since 1923, when Coolidge reigned, speakeasies were everywhere and life was good. The Richmond Hills location was one of two left (the other is in Jackson Heights) of a small local chain that was founded in 1897 (when McKinley reigned, Lobster Newberg was everywhere and life was good) in the Bronx, at 138th Street and Alexander Avenue, by John Jahn. How's that for a name? John had three kids, and when they grew up he let them each open a branch. Elsie opened one in Jamaica, Howard's was in Flushing and Frank went to Richard Hills. Eventually, there was Jahn's in Bayside, Ridgewood, Sheepshead Bay, even Long Island and Jersey, and, I am told, Florida.

The chain was known for—what else?—its ice cream. The stuff came in 17 flavors. Eat them all at once and it's called "The Kitchen Sink." The place was meant to evoke the 1890s, so many of the old fixtures date from that time, including a wooden bar topped by green marble, much stained glass, vintage sconces, a marble and brass syrup dispenser, and a Seeberg nickelodeon.

According to the Queens Chronicle, Alla Mikit, the former owner, sold the property, along with the two apartments above it. According to Nancy Cataldi, president of the Richmond Hill Historical Society, "the light fixtures and many other valuable Jahn’s antiques were sold to a bidder in the Midwest. The sweet shop’s stained glass windows were also sold." Nice going, Alla. Maybe you could use the money you made from the sale to buy Queens some new 80-year-old culture.

The Jackson Heights branch still exists. I've been to it. The sign is nice, but the interior is fairly charmless. Looks like a typical Greek diner. I understand the menu is fairly identical. (Thanks to Ed's Mobile Blog for the pictures.)