A Pittsburgh-based dessert chain that has started to expand nationally will be hitting the Garden State in a big way as MilkShake Factory is set to launch this first store later this year.
The company, known for their handspun milkshakes and small batch, premium chocolates, will be opening a trio of new locations over the next year. The first, located at 177 Newark Ave in Downtown Jersey City in the former Milk and Cereal Bar space, is expected to open by the end of fall 2025.
“New Jersey is such a vibrant, diverse state, and we’re excited to introduce our signature shakes and chocolates here,” said Dana Edwards Manatos, Founder & CEO of MilkShake Factory. “Launching in Downtown Jersey City is an exciting way to introduce MilkShake Factory to New Jersey. The community’s energy, diversity, and food culture make it the perfect place to begin our journey here.”
A second store will follow at 187 Columbia Turnpike in Florham Park, with a third coming soon to 189 West Main Street in Somerville. New Jersey represents the latest step in MilkShake Factory’s rapid nationwide growth following successful recent launches in Florida, Ohio, Indiana, South Carolina, Virginia, and Georgia.
“Downtown Jersey City will be the first of multiple doors in the region, and we look forward to becoming a sweet destination for the surrounding communities,” Manatos added.
Founded over 100 years ago as a small chocolate shop in Pennsylvania, every item on the menu at MilkShake Factory is made with care. The housemade ice cream is still churned in-store daily, while the hand-decorated chocolates are crafted using family recipes passed down for generations.
MilkShake Factory’s flavors include fan favorites like Chocolate Dipped Strawberry and Campfire S’mores alongside decadent Chocolate Molten Cups, non-dairy options, and handcrafted chocolate bark collections. The brand’s latest flavor, the Dubai-Style Chocolate Bar, layers pistachio crème and toasted kataifi in rich milk chocolate.
Rioza Construction recently posted an Instagram update on the buildout of the Jersey City MilkShake Factory that noted the grand opening is “just around the corner.” An exact date for the opening of the Newark Avenue store has not yet been announced.
