Montague Street Häagen-Dazs Completes Renovation in Time for Free Cone Day

The world’s first Häagen-Dazs store just got a facelift — perhaps its first major overhaul since it opened in 1976.

Founded by a Bronx couple in the 1960s, Häagen-Dazs has its roots in Brooklyn — co-founder Reuben Mattus got his start in the Brooklyn Italian ice business and his wife Rose hailed from Brownsville. So when their daughter Doris decided to open a retail store for the family ice cream chain, it wasn’t surprising that she chose Montague Street in Brooklyn Heights.

But after decades of serving cones to ice cream–craving Brooklynites, the store was ready for a reno. The location remained closed for much of April while workers tore out the old furnishings and installed new modern-looking floors, signs, counters and a seating area.

It reopened just in the nick of time.

Häagen-Dazs’ annual free cone day is today, Tuesday, May 10, from 4 to 8 p.m. Those who drop by a shop during the designated hours will get to enjoy one kiddie scoop free of charge. For a map of participating stores, see the Häagen-Dazs website.

[Photos by Barbara Eldredge]

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