G&D's

George and Davis' on Little Clarendon Street

George and Davis, George and Danver and, most recently, George and Delila, collectively known as G&D′s, are three ice cream cafés in Oxford, England.

History

G&D's was founded in 1992 by two Oxford students, George Stroup and Davis Roberts, who gave their names to the original café in Little Clarendon Street.[1] Their motivation for opening an “Ice-cream café” stemmed from a lack of real ice-cream in Oxford, as well as the need for bright, friendly spaces for residents to meet. George and Davis’ filled a niche in Oxford’s day and night life, as it opened from 8am-midnight every day of the week, and sourced fresh, local ingredients for its ice-cream, which continues to be made on site today.

Having gone from strength to strength, G&D's opened a second branch, George and Danver, on the corner of St. Aldates and Pembroke Street in 2001. A second production room was created in this shop, to make daily a selection of baked goods which the shops now offer. G&D’s ice-cream bikes became a common feature around Oxford, as both ice-cream and bakery items are cycled from shop to shop.

In 2007 a third shop, George and Delila, was opened on the Cowley Road. It has become a venue for music events and informal concerts.

Competition

The only other ice cream-themed shops in Oxford in recent years have been two outlets of the multi-national Häagen-Dazs chain: one opened in Cornmarket Street (c.a. 1993), the other opened in George Street (c.a. 1998);[2] both shops closed within a few years of opening. Oxford's town and gown feel a loyalty towards G&D′s which they view as 'Oxford's Own'; this phrase is now incorporated in the company's logo. The flow of scholars and tourists from all nations through Oxford has given G&D′s a worldwide reputation, evident in the coverage in various international travel books including Lonely Planet.[3] All three shops also have a "Knowledge is Good" chalk board where the staff post different questions regularly. If a customer answers the question correctly he/she will win a free scoop of ice cream.

References

  1. ↑ Eastham, Janet (2014-04-24). "Horrifying hygiene standards at G&D's". The Oxford Student. Retrieved 2017-02-10.
  2. ↑ "Daily Info - Your Guide to Oxford, UK". Dailyinfo.co.uk. Retrieved 2012-09-02.
  3. ↑ "Oxford - Lonely Planet Travel Guide". Lonelyplanet.com. Retrieved 2012-09-02.

Coordinates: 51°45′31″N 1°15′41″W / 51.75864°N 1.26141°W / 51.75864; -1.26141

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