From scoops to smiles, few places in Western North Carolina capture the sweet spirit of community like The Hop Ice Cream. This beloved local shop has been delighting Asheville and WNC since 1978, when two New Yorkers passing through fell in love with the mountains and decided to stay — bringing with them a love for old‑school, handmade ice cream. The Hop opened in a small art‑deco service station in what is now Woolsey Dip and quickly became a favorite local hangout, with lines down the street on warm summer nights.
The Hop — Asheville’s Original Handcrafted Ice Cream Institution
Over the next few decades, the business changed hands while growing its reputation as an ice cream institution in Asheville. In 2008, longtime employees and UNC Asheville alums Greg and Ashley Garrison became owners, bringing fresh energy while preserving the heart and soul of this community staple.
Today, The Hop has multiple locations across the Asheville area — including North Asheville on Merrimon Ave, West Asheville on Haywood Road, a downtown S&W Market spot, and a production creamery — plus a retail location in Black Mountain. Each spot serves up handcrafted dairy and vegan ice cream with creative, locally influenced flavors, from classic salted caramel and vanilla bean to whimsical seasonal creations.
Locals and visitors alike rave about the variety and quality:
⭐ “This fun and innovative ice cream shop is all about top‑notch local ingredients and superb product quality.”
⭐ “This is the best ice cream place ever! Not only are the flavors amazing and unique, the people who work there are extremely wonderful!”
From its humble beginnings to today’s multiple locations and loyal following, The Hop isn’t just an ice cream shop — it’s a sweet Asheville tradition and a scoop of summer sunshine any time of year.
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