Today we’d like to introduce you to Galen Moorer jr
Hi Galen, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Hello let me start out by saying thank you for reaching out! Happy Day Dessert Factory owned and ran by me, Galen Moorer Jr. I first had the idea of opening my own ice cream shop when I was about 17-18 because my father used to own Rita’s Italian Ice on the Northside of Pittsburgh. I enjoyed making Italian ice and custard while I was there, but I knew working for somebody else just was not for me. I have always wanted to own my own business, but I did not know what I wanted to own. So during my years in college, I sat down and asked myself what are some things that I love and can make a living off of? Ice cream and clothing came into my mind because I love to look nice. A good looking outfit goes a long way. I did my research and decided that opening a clothing store is too much of a risk, so I eventually went with ice cream because I love ice cream and who doesn’t love ice cream. The name “Happy Day” came from my grandmother. She is a wonderful, bright and joyful person. She is always singing “Ohhh Happy Day” by Edwin Hawkins. I also want people to experience the good vibes and premium homemade ice cream and other treats we have to offer, so I named the business Happy Day Dessert Factory.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I had been working on opening Happy Day Dessert Factory for 2 years and when we were are finally able to open, the Corona Virus pandemic hit. Our Grand Opening was officially scheduled to be on March 28th, 2020. Our soft opening was to be March 16th, but my dreams were shot down when the president and governor ordered the 2 week quarantine in Pennsylvania. Due to the unforeseeable events of the Corona Virus, we were only able to provide takeout services for the majority of 2020. I had planned to open the store during the summer of 2019 but I faced numerous construction delays. The instant those hurdles were overcome I opened. It’s not how I wanted to start off, but we have made the best of a bad situation. I am just happy to say that we are open. Obviously with the current social climate we are not experiencing the level of business we had hoped or planned for but we have still received an extremely positive response! We will continue to remain open as long as we are legally able to and we can get our supplies necessary to make our product. The store is officially open for full service and now it is full speed ahead!
We’ve been impressed with Happy Day Dessert Factory, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I own the one and only black owned ice cream shop in Pittsburgh, PA. We sell premium handmade homemade ice cream, cookies, cakes and shakes. We make smiles fresh, daily! I feel like that sets us a part from the other competitors because not a lot of ice cream shops make their own ice cream. A lot of shops order from brands like Hershey’s, Blue Bunny or Ben & Jerry’s and sell it. We also have pretzels, funnel cakes and cookies. The only other place you can get a funnel cake in Pittsburgh is at Kennywood or a fair. That also sets us a part because we just don’t sell ice cream here. We have pastries as well. We also have vegan options to choose from in our water ice (Italian ice) and coconut milk hard ice cream that we make as well. Not a lot of other shops make vegan/dairy free options but we do. We try to have so thing for everybody.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I’ve only been to Atlanta once and it was fun. I had some family down there and they took me to Lennox mall and all I could think about was how big it was. He also said celebrities just casually pull up to Lennox and shop too, so I was thinking of somebody like Lil Uzi Vert pulling up that day. Only thing I’ll say that I don’t like is how expensive it was down there. I see why the celebrities pull up to Lennox and shop because there’s a lot of designer stores in there.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://happydaydessertfactory.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/happydaydessertfactory?igsh=MXV5cWkxZG8zMHpxeA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/happydaydessertfactory?mibextid=LQQJ4d
Image Credits
Galen Moorer Jr 1HOOD Built Different Creative
