July may be National Ice Cream Month, but in Inwood, it felt more like National Happiness Month. Lost Borough Ice Cream officially celebrated the grand opening of its second New York location, in Inwood, and the neighborhood showed up with plenty of smiles, conversation, and an appetite for something cold and delicious. Local NYC and New York State elected officials, members of the media, and community partners gathered for an evening of networking, celebration, and, naturally, generous scoops of ice cream.
If you think this is just another ice cream shop, think again. Lost Borough Ice Cream serves frozen desserts with a story behind every delicious flavor. The company is the dream of Patrick Cruz, whose imagination turns everyday ingredients into unforgettable flavor combinations, and Ka-wana Jefferson, an award-winning hospitality entrepreneur dedicated to building businesses that bring communities together. Together, they have created more than a dessert destination. They’ve built a neighborhood gathering place where culture, creativity, and comfort are served in every cone.
The new Inwood shop is a cozy 500-square-foot storefront, following the success of the original Lost Borough Ice Cream location that opened in downtown Yonkers in 2022. While fans can still enjoy the brand’s signature artisanal ice cream and handmade cookies, the Inwood location also introduces flavors made especially for the community.
One standout is Fort Tryon, a rose-flavored ice cream swirled with cherries and crunchy praline pecans. It’s floral without tasting like perfume, rich without being heavy, and just adventurous enough to keep you coming back for another spoonful. The shop also offers a classic Snickerdoodle cookie alongside a Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookie, proving everyone deserves dessert.
During the celebration, I cooled off with their bright and refreshing Mango Dream Pop, which tasted like summer decided to take a vacation inside a popsicle. While enjoying it, I also learned the fascinating story behind the company’s unique name courtesy of Patrick Cruz.
Here’s a fun piece of New York trivia that sounds almost too good to be true. Back in 1894, Yonkers and Mount Vernon had the opportunity to become part of New York City. Had they voted yes, New York might have grown beyond its famous five boroughs. Instead, both cities declined, leaving behind what many still affectionately call the “Lost Borough” or the city’s unofficial sixth borough. Since the original Lost Borough Ice Cream shop calls Yonkers home, the name honors that forgotten chapter of local history. It’s part history lesson, part neighborhood legend, and now, part of every scoop they serve.
That sense of hometown pride is easy to see inside the new shop. Every flavor feels carefully crafted, every cookie freshly baked, and every customer warmly welcomed. Lost Borough Ice Cream isn’t simply focused on making great ice cream. The team is creating memorable experiences, celebrating diverse cultures, and giving neighbors another reason to gather together.
National Ice Cream Month already comes with plenty of excuses to indulge, but Lost Borough Ice Cream offers something sweeter than dessert alone. It delivers handcrafted treats sprinkled with creativity, community spirit, and a delightful scoop of New York history that makes every visit just a little more flavorful.
