Marble Slab, started as a single-unit operation called Cones & Cream, was founded in Houston Texas by chefs Sigmund Penn and Tom LePage in 1983. They were inspired by Steve Herrell of Herrell's Ice Cream in Boston, who pioneered the approach. from mixing to ice cream toppings. In 1986, Marble Slab became the first ice cream shop to use a frozen granite slab to mix ingredients into ice cream. Later that year, Ronnie Hankamer of Texas purchased Marble Slab.
