Our History

Gayety's has a long and rich tradition of hand-dipping chocolates that dates back
to 1920. We're an old-fashioned company that likes to do things the old fashioned way. We make our chocolates, frozen treats and desserts with love and care and the very best ingredients. The way we always have.

When our founder James Papageorge bought Gayety's Chocolates and Ice Cream Company in 1920, it was located next door to the Gayety movie theater in South Chicago. The movie theater is gone. However, the ice cream parlor continues to thrive as a third-generation family-owned gathering place for neighbors, friends, families and colleagues.

Great-uncle Jim was nine years old when he arrived by himself in the United
States, from Tripoli, Greece. He landed penniless. But he worked hard, earning money by scooping ice cream at the local ice cream parlor and selling fruit at the local fruit stand.

By 1920, he had saved enough to buy Gayety's Chocolates and Ice Cream Company. A perfectionist who wore a suit to work every day, great-uncle Jim developed recipes we still use today. His portrait hangs in the entrance of Gayety's. He watches over us and reminds us of our commitment to tradition.