MANILA, Philippines - Italian gelatos specialty store Art’s Cream Gallery is a concoction of Italian ice cream or gelato and a work of art. This was the vision of the store when it first opened its doors to the public five years ago.
A gallery and café in one, Art’s Cream Gallery is replete with art works and art objects scattered around and given an artist rendition by renowned international designer and the Philippines’ prized floral architect Rachy Cuna, the brand’s co-owner.
"Art's Cream Gallery seeks to reinterpret the ice cream parlor by incorporating novel elements into the idea of a bar cafe in the middle of a busy mall," Noel E. Castro, chief operating officer of ACG Phils. Inc. which owns Art’s Cream Gallery, explained.
Art's Cream Gallery serves gelatos in “designer’s ice cream†style, repackaged into "masterpieces," just like works of art, that enthusiasts can devour with gusto. Its delightful blends have elicited the interest of consumers and enabled Art's Cream Gallery to gain loyal followers. It hopes to follow the Italian Gelateria style where the ice cream maker is at the back of the freezer.
Currently, Art's Cream Gallery has six outlets in the Metro Manila area, proof of the increasing popularity of its products and concept. Castro said the company seeks to open more stores in 2014, especially in high end malls that include Ayala and Edsa Shangri-la where the market suits the company’s niche.
"By early next year, we will open an Art's Cream Gallery branch at the Trinoma Mall in Quezon City. We're looking at opening around two stores in 2014," he enthused.
Just recently, Castro said Art's Cream Gallery opened branches at Landmark in Makati City and at Robinson's Magnolia in Quezon City. He said the company continues to be on the lookout for other suitable areas where they can put up other stores.
He noted the brand has proven that it can thrive well in high-end surroundings after it opened its outlet in Robinson’s Magnolia. Art’s Cream Gallery’s other branches are in Robinson’s Place Manila in Ermita and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminals 1 and 2.
"The company is particular about the location of the stores. We do not just want to increase our stores just for the sake of expanding. Our target is to at least open one or two branches per year. It is not easy to find a perfect location and we cannot just take the risk,†Castro stressed.
The ACG executive also announced that Art's Cream Gallery now offers new flavors in all its stores. These include peach mango and caramelized grape fruit. He said the company has also enhanced the flavors of its existing offerings. Top-sellers among the 40 flavors it offers are chocolate, strawberry, coffee with toblerone, pistachio and cookies and cream.
Apart from its gelatos, Art's Cream Gallery has also expanded its menu to include pizzas and sandwiches. Customers who wish to have a quick snack and a scoop of gelato or two will no longer have to go elsewhere to satisfy their cravings.
Those who love to gaze at and savor art pieces will surely enjoy their stay in Art's Cream Gallery. Stores are tastefully decorated to create an ambience that cannot be found in other ordinary ice cream parlors.
Castro stressed that the staff from each store are trained to perfect the art of making gelato concoctions which are unique to Art's Cream Gallery.
“What Art’s Cream Gallery offers are premium gelatos, the ice cream of the elite,†Castro emphasized.