Serendipity 3 Celebrates 60 Years as NYC`s Sweet

 Serendipity 3 Celebrates 60 Years as NYC's Sweet Spot
The renowned NYC confectionery and eclectic gift shop — a favorite of
Warhol, Monroe, Jackie O, and others — prepares to celebrate its 60th
anniversary.
Having a penchant for sweets such as the Lemon Icebox Pie, once-aspiring artist
Andy Warhol would frequent Serendipity 3 in its early years, paying for food with
drawings. Marilyn Monroe loved the Milton’s Lovely Fudge Pie. Former First Lady
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis would often bring her children, John and Caroline, and
sip on Frrrozen Hot Chocolates. The renowned NYC confectionery and eclectic gift
shop — with a history as rich as its desserts — now prepares to celebrate its 60th
anniversary.
Serendipity 3 was founded by friends Calvin Holt and Patch Caradine, both from
Little Rock, Arkansas and Stephen Bruce, from New Jersey. The three men, who
met in New York City while taking acting/dancing classes, soon decided they
needed a job to subsidize their dreams of fame and fortune. Pooling their
resources, they opened a basement coffee shop on September 15, 1954 on East
58th for a modest $300, before moving to their well established, three story,
165-seat location at 235 E. 60th Street a short time later.
One day Caradine, while doing the London Times crossword puzzle, came across
the word serendipity. Coined by Horace Walpole and based on a Persian tale of
three princes of Serendip (Sri Lanka), Caradine instantly connected with its
meaning: “the art of finding the pleasantly unexpected by chance or sagacity,”
explains Bruce. “We had found the perfect name. We added a 3 at the end to
represent the three of us, the founding princes.”
Serendipity 3 has a universal appeal with persons of all ages, and from all walks of
life-locals, tourists, celebrities, even presidents. Innovative, tasty desserts,
beautifully presented with a touch of whimsy, have made it a New York City
treasure for 60 years, and will be for generations to come.
“I came to New York 57 years ago and I didn’t
know what serendipity meant. I sure as hell do
now.” - Elaine Stritch
Serendipity 3 served as a pivotal location in the 2001 film of the same name. In the
film, Sara Thomas (Kate Beckinsale) and Jonathan Trager (John Cusack) meet by
chance at Bloomingdale’s, and then dine together — a strong romantic connection
ensues. Written by screenwriter Marc Klein, Klein reached out to the owners for
permission to use the restaurant, admitting that he’d often brought dates there.
The restaurant has also figured prominently in other films including One Fine Day
and Trust the Man.
“In 1976, I stopped in New York City on my way
home from England, where I had just finished
shooting Star Wars. The shoot had been difficult
and I was a bit depressed. Brian DePalma and
Steven Spielberg were in New York, so we decided
to get together and go to Serendipity. I ordered not
one Frrrozen Hot Chocolate, but two. My mood
improved immeasurably.” - George Lucas
Over the years, Serendipity 3 continued to step up the decadent variety of its
menu, putting its own unique spin on frozen drinks, such as Frrrozen Espresso, Pink
Ice and Oreo Express. One particular treat that is known the world over is their
Golden Opulence Sundae, first introduced in 2004, honoring Serendipity 3’s 50th
anniversary. With ingredients including Tahitian vanilla bean ice cream, topped with a
gilded sugar flower and served in a Baccarat Harcourt Crystal goblet (which you get
to keep after), served with an 18-carat spoon, the dessert was listed in the
Guinness Book of World Records as the most expensive ($1,000.)
“Serendipity is where you go to feel like a kid
again.” - Alec Baldwin
Bill Clinton with Serendipity 3's Stephen Bruce
Preparations are underway for Serendipity 3’s 60th anniversary. First, their
bestselling cookbook, Sweet Serendipity: Delightful Desserts & Devilish Dish,
written by Stephen Bruce with Brett Bara (which includes recipes and celeb quotes),
is going into its 15th reprint, with a new foreword written by Joan and Melissa
Rivers. There will be a mayoral proclamation. Serendipity 3 is also working with
designer Anna Sui to create a special t-shirt, along with signmyshirt.com, with
personal messages written by celebrities. Proceeds from the sale of this shirt will go
to the Bowery Mission, to help the homeless.