Tucker’s Ice Cream Announces New Ownership

A ribbon-cutting to celebrate the transfer of ownership will be held on Sunday, April 15, 1:00-4:00pm. The community will be treated to games, a baby scoop, and fun time for all.

Stephen Zimmerman and Lauren Zimmerman Cook, longtime Alameda residents and CEO and COO of Alameda-based AEC Living, and their spouses, Joshua Cook and Erika Zimmerman, have become the new owners of Tucker’s Super Creamed Ice Cream. The Zimmerman’s are the fourth owners of Tucker’s since 1941. They are dedicated to keeping the famous ice cream parlor under local, independent ownership, and continuing the traditions set over the last 77 years of business.

Kate Pryor: Commitment to Community

Kate Pryor, a second generation Alamedan, grew up enjoying Tucker’s Ice Cream and purchased the business in 1990 while it was still located at the corner of Park Street and Webb Ave (the current site of Habanas Cuban Cuisine). In April of 2000, the business was moved to its current and larger location at 1349 Park Street.

While carrying on the tradition of producing the finest “Supercreamed Ice Cream,” Kate also invested in her community through service and support. Through the years, Tucker’s Ice Cream has grown to be a central meeting place and a supporter of community programs, sports activities, and youth. 

Kate dedicated many hours to the improvement of the downtown business district over the years. She served on the Downtown Alameda Business Association’s Board of Directors during two different eras — most recently from 2013 to 2018. As chair of the Maintenance & Improvement Committee, Kate was instrumental in bringing recycling bins to the sidewalks of Downtown Alameda.

After 28 years of ownership, Kate Pryor and her husband David Lee are looking forward to retirement. The Board and staff of the Downtown Alameda Business Association wish them the very best.

“An Open Letter to Our Tucker’s Community”

This is a bittersweet moment for us as we pass the baton of Tucker’s Ice Cream to new owners. The new owners are two families who have grown up eating Tucker’s Ice Cream and want to continue the legacy of Tucker’s to future generations of ice cream lovers from every walk of life.

These last 28 years have been a gift for us. To watch several generations growing up and having their own children getting their first taste of ice cream at Tucker’s has been very special. Celebrating the first haircut, first shots, meeting a goal or getting a good report card, all of these moments are indelibly etched into our memory. Young people celebrating getting their braces removed, getting the cast off or simply enjoying their birthday with friends. Grandmothers enjoying quintessential moments with the newest grandchild or being taken for a treat by her first born child. These and so many more experiences are the gifts so generously shared with us over the years.

Our passion for this business has been generated by the love and gifts of each of you sharing the joys and challenges of life with us. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You from the bottoms of our hearts for supporting this little ice cream store! You have given us so much more than we can ever adequately express.

And yes, we’ll be staying here in Alameda in our home. We are so looking forward to walking around town, visiting the many friends we’ve made and to hear more of your stories when you see us.

Thank you for this wonderful life . . . see you around town! Love, Kate and David