For many families, enjoying a cool scoop of ice cream or a refreshing water ice on a summer day is about more than dessert. It’s about making memories — and that’s exactly the spirit behind Polly’s Ice Cream & Espresso in Wrightstown.
The second of two Polly’s locations, the shop is owned by 25-year-old Julia Bailey, who was inspired by the legacy of her grandmother, Mary Eleanor “Polly” Bailey.
Julia grew up hearing stories about Polly, who often joked that when farm life in the Wrightstown area became challenging in the 1970s, she dreamed of leaving it all behind to open an ice cream shop.
“I had been hearing a lot about Polly from my parents, and there I was reading her old handwritten notes,” Julia says. “It seemed fitting to start ice cream shops that she inspired. All of this is a labor of love.”
That family dream became reality. Polly’s Wrightstown location, at 2325 Second Street Pike, opened June 26. The first location, at 715 Fetters Mill Square in Huntingdon Valley, opened in September 2024.
At both locations, Julia is committed to serving delicious treats while creating a welcoming, spotless environment where customers feel valued.
Julia is a fourth-generation Wrightstown resident who has immense pride in her business and her community. “I am a small business owner who is also a resident of the town. This is a tight-knit community that is steeped in history. We all love to support our local businesses!”
The Wrightstown shop features 16 rotating flavors of Richman’s Hand-Dipped Ice Cream, scooped by Julia and a team of local high school and college students. Popular flavors include mint chocolate chip, cookies and cream, caramel espresso brownie, and s’mores. There are also seasonal flavors coming for the fall.
The menu also includes cones, waffle cones, cookie sandwiches, shakes, ice cream sodas, floats, banana splits, and sundaes loaded with a variety of toppings. Pints and quarts are also available.
Parties and Special Events
For parties and special events, Polly’s offers “charcuterie-type” takeout boxes filled with ice cream toppings, cones, and other goodies. Julia caters birthday parties, weddings, public events, and corporate outings. She even recently catered her sister’s recent baby shower.
For special-event orders, Julia recommends that customers email her at least two weeks in advance.
While the ice cream is certainly the star, Julia says two things are equally important to her: exceptional customer service and cleanliness. “I am proud that my staff is extremely nice and how clean the shops are.”
In addition to hand-dipped ice cream, Polly’s serves vanilla, chocolate, and twist soft serve, along with four Philadelphia Water Ice flavors: mango, cherry, lemon, and peach.
And then there’s the delicious coffee. Both Polly’s locations offer an espresso bar with locally roasted beans and a menu of lattes, iced drinks, cappuccinos, and seasonal specialties; a somewhat unexpected pairing with ice cream that Julia says was an easy decision.
“I knew that I was going to be spending a lot of hours here, and I love my coffee,” she says.
One of the shop’s popular specialties is an affogato — a scoop of any ice cream flavor topped with a shot of espresso.
Family is Foremost
For Julia, however, the heart of Polly’s goes far beyond ice cream and coffee. Family and community are central to her life and her business.
Her father, John Bailey, is assistant chief of the Lingohocken Fire Company and has devoted 50 years to serving the local community. Both shops are proud to be involved in the local fire departments.
“We are more than a dessert and coffee shop,” Julia says. “We’re a neighborhood gathering place. We proudly feature locally sourced coffee and ice cream, partner with Philly brands, and give back through volunteering, donations, and community involvement.”
She added that “Supporting our towns is at the heart of what we do, and we’re grateful to be a place where families, friends, and neighbors come together for something delicious.”
Choosing Wrightstown for the second Polly’s location was also a family decision.
“We picked the Wrightstown location because we wanted the shop to be close to home,” Julia says. “The community support has been wonderful! We greatly appreciate it!”
With a grandmother’s dream providing the inspiration, Julia is creating a new chapter of her own — one scoop, one smile, and one family memory at a time.
For More Information
Polly’s Ice Cream & Espresso – Wrightstown Location
Address: 2325 Second Street Pike
Wrightstown, PA
Phone: 267-574-2237
Website: https://www.pollysicecreamespresso.com/
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Pollys-Ice-Cream-Espresso-61565893266727/
Hours:
Monday & Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday & Thursday: 2–9 p.m.
Friday & Saturday: 2–10 p.m.
Sunday: 2–9 p.m.
