Openings

Popbar’s Shtick: Gelato, Sorbetto, and Fro-Yo on a Stick

Photo: Courtesy of Popbar

In the realm of portable frozen treats, this is easily the biggest thing to happen since People’s Pops opened in Chelsea Market. An aspiring chain, Popbar opened its first location in the West Village today. So what will set it apart from neighbors Phileo, Grom, L’Arte del Gelato, and Cones, to name but a few? Well, the all-natural gelato, sorbetto, and fro-yo is served on a stick.

Twenty-five rotating varieties are made daily with the aid of a machine that you can watch in action here, and you can get the pops ($3.99 to $4.99) in plain form, or dipped in dark, milk, or white chocolate, as well as covered in “poppings” such as shredded coconut, chopped nuts, brownie chunks, coffee grains, biscotti crumbles, and the like.

All of this will be familiar to anyone who’s been to Italy’s various Stick House locations, but owners Reuben BenJehuda (an Italian who has worked in fashion for the past decade or so) and his fellow Hofstra graduate Daniel Yaghoubi (a German record producer) are making it a point to use hormone-free milk, real fruit (lemon, blood orange, mango, berries, peach, etc.), and no additives. And one last thing may help them stick it to the competition: Their coffee is Stumptown.

Popbar will be open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and till 2 a.m. on weekends. Delivery is coming soon.

Popbar, 5 Carmine St., nr. Sixth Ave.; 212-255-4874

Popbar’s Shtick: Gelato, Sorbetto, and Fro-Yo on a Stick