What began in 1915 as a small neighborhood Italian ice shop in Elizabeth, New Jersey, is now poised for nationwide expansion through franchising. DiCosmo's Italian Ice, known for its hand-squeezed lemon ice made from a recipe that is 111 years old, is inviting entrepreneurs to open new shops, especially along the Eastern Seaboard and in warm-weather states where the business can thrive longer.

Eileen O'Connor, the current owner and great-granddaughter of the founders, shared with Fox News Digital that the original recipe was created by her great-grandmother during a particularly hot summer. Seeking to recreate the granita she enjoyed in Italy, she adapted the recipe using locally available lemons, the traditional flavor in Italy. O'Connor emphasized, "I can't mess with an 111-year-old lemon-ice recipe."

DiCosmo's success is attributed to its simple, high-quality ingredients, authenticity, and strong family heritage. The shop has become a beloved community institution in Metuchen, New Jersey, where generations of families have enjoyed its refreshing treats. O'Connor described the original location as "that little green shack," a place well-known to locals.

The company hopes to preserve its tradition by partnering with like-minded businesspeople to bring the nostalgic taste of Italian ice to a whole new generation.

Notable Quotes

  • "It's that little green shack," said O'Connor of the original Elizabeth location.
  • "The story goes that it was a particularly hot summer, and my grandmother was looking for something similar to the granita she had had in Italy."
  • "I can't mess with an 111-year-old lemon-ice recipe."
  • "We have generations of customers who are coming [to the shop]. They'll know."
  • "It's nostalgic. It tastes like something you might have had in your childhood."

Sources