Franklin Fountain

The Franklin Fountain is an ice cream parlor and soda fountain located at 116 Market Street in Philadelphia. It operates daily from 11AM to Midnight. The business also has a second location, Franklin Ice Cream Bar, at 112 Market Street, open Friday through Sunday. The brothers Eric and Ryan Berley conceived the idea for an authentic ice cream parlor and soda fountain, inspired by the interior of a turn-of-the-century building purchased by their father and aunt. They named the business after Benjamin Franklin, following a turn-of-the-century precedent.

In January 2003, Eric Berley was finishing his philosophy studies at William & Mary College, while his brother Ryan Berley was working as an antiques trader and consultant to Freeman’s auction house. Just over a year before, the Berley’s father and aunt had purchased a turn-of-the-century building at 116 Market Street in Old City, Philadelphia. The building’s decorative tin walls, ceilings, and original porcelain mosaic tile floor inspired Ryan to propose building an authentic ice cream parlor and soda fountain. In Summer 2003, Eric traveled to New York state to study under an ice cream chef and mentor. When he returned, he and Ryan wrote a business plan for what would be called “The Franklin Fountain.” The brothers were inspired by a marble portrait of Benjamin Franklin they had seen at an exhibition of sculpture by Jean-Antoine Houdon that spring. Following a turn-of-the-century precedent for naming businesses after the great man, Franklin’s legacy proved a worthy namesake for the soda fountain.

1. Philadelphia Ice Cream Parlor & Soda Fountain | The Franklin Fountain
2. Our History | The Franklin Fountain