Our Story
Since 1903
The Original Ice Cream Charlie
Sali Mohomet
In 1903 Sali Mahomet started serving the people of Christchurch refreshing ice creams from his cart in Cathedral Square. The original cart is shown above, in a local museum.
Sali soon became known as "Charlie", then "Ice Cream Charlie". The name then given to Vanilla Ice sellers ever since.
Over the years there have been just seven owners of Vanilla Ice (Ice Cream Charlie) who have all honoured the heritage of the product maintaining the same recipe and the loyalty of the public.
Most of the Canterbury faithfull have stories of being taken to visit Ice Cream Charlie, as children, often by grandparents. This trend continues today.
Ice Cream Charlie and Vanilla Ice could be considered the oldest gastronomic product in Canterbury.
The current "Charlie"
Katey Lane
"I grew up with Vanilla Ice from Ice Cream Charlie"
As a loyal Cantabrian it has been my pleasure to be treated to the delights of Ice Cream Charlie's Vanilla Ice since I was a young child.
I have introduced my children, and their fur babies, to it.
I consider it a privilege to continue the legacy for the people of Canterbury and the many visitors we now have to beautiful historic Christchurch.
Ice Cream Charlie Timeline
1903 - Sali Mohomet moved to Christchurch and began making ice cream with a hand-cranked churn, selling it in Christchurch's Cathedral Square. Sali and his father Sultan were among the first muslims to start a new life in NZ in the late 1890's.
1907 - Sali was making his ice cream in a electric-powered standalone building behind his house at 69 Caledonian Road, St Albans. He continued to sell his ice cream in Cathedral Square until 1925. Icecreams sold for 1D cones and dishes of ice cream, jelly and cream for 4D.
1926 - Victor Wilkinson buys a hand drawn cart from Archie Burnside and also purchases 10 Clarkson Ave, which is still the current cottage and factory today. Vic continued to do the work by hand until 1938 when he invested in Westinghouse Refrigeration (electric churn and two freezer cabinets.)
1940 - Vic Wilkinson buys Sali Mohomet's business. Vic continues to use the hand drawn cart until 1948.
1948 - Ken Barnes married Victor's daughter Joan Wilkinson, they then ran Ice Cream Charlie alongside Victor for three decades. Ken built a new cart in the early years of their involvement - the current day "Edith".
1986 - Max Barnes, Joan and Ken's son joined the family ice cream business.
2018 - Katey Lane became the 5th Ice Cream Charlie, when Raewyn and George decided to retire.