York Castle Ice Cream (YCIC) is the leader in a group of businesses that have identified and are providing services for the cultural mix that exists in the Washington Metropolitan area. YCIC is the leading company specializing in the manufacture and distribution of tropical fruit ice cream in the metro area.

In 1985, Mr. Calver Headley, the founder of YCIC, recognized the fact that a weekend pastime that was common in his homeland of Jamaica was unavailable in this area and that he could fill the niche. With knowledge acquired from working with the late Mr. John Nash Gifford, founder of the original and famous Gifford’s Ice Cream on Georgia Avenue, he started with the flavors he remembered from his childhood days, Grapenut and Rum Raisin. His ice cream flavors, including Swiss Chocolate, Eggnog and Peppermint Stick, tasted so much like that of his mentor that customers named his shop “Little Gifford’s”. Over the years, he has developed his recipes to over 40 flavors and also kept the tradition of making seasonal ice cream logs. York Castle Ice Cream alone supplied the ice cream needs of the Washington/Silver Spring community for several years after Gifford's was closed in 1985 and the store has remained at the same location for the past 23 years.

In 2000, Mr. Headley sold the retail/wholesale branch of his business to Ms. Caroline Tay and partners and moved his manufacturing branch to a new facility in Beltsville, Maryland.

Ms. Tay brings her extensive knowledge and experience in the food industry both here and abroad to this business.  She and her staff make every effort to ensure that a trip to this ice cream parlor is a truly unique and exotic experience.