A refreshing sign of springtime

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Ralph’s Italian Ices & Ice Cream
8 W. Park Ave., Long Beach
(516) 897-2574

On Long Island, the seasonal re-opening of Ralph’s Famous Italian Ices has become a sure sign that the coldest months are over. Those familiar with these delicious treats know there are few better ways to cool off on a toasty day. And with more than 100 flavors to choose from, the Ralph’s experience never needs to be redundant.

Lisa and Jason Romance, who live in Massapequa Park with their two young sons, have been longtime fans of Ralph’s Italian Ices. Jason is a New York City fireman, and Lisa, up until recently, a CAT scan technician. With a plan to open a business that would someday be handed down to their boys, they purchased a Ralph’s franchise in Long Beach. Lisa owns and runs it, while Jason helps out on the business end.

Ralph’s Famous Italian Ices have been around since 1928, when Ralph Silvestro of Italy started producing and selling them throughout Staten Island. Over the years, the business grew and spanned three generations. By 2001, locations in all five boroughs, Long Island and New Jersey had joined their franchise program. Silvestro’s three grandsons have now taken over.

While some of the original ices’ flavors still prevail unchanged, Ralph’s now boasts over 100 flavors among their products. All flavors offered by the company itself are available at the Ralph’s franchise on West Park Avenue in Long Beach. Some are seasonal, such as Pumpkin Pie. At least eight flavors are both fat free and sugar free.

Products include water ices, sherbet (aka crème ices), hard scoop ice cream, soft serve ice cream, bottled drinks, shakes, fruit smoothies, and signature sundaes. Icebergs are smoothies with soft serve ice cream on top. A Twister consists of a layer of Italian ices between soft ice cream.

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