Queens 'King' opens in Valley Stream

Many residents of Valley Stream can trace their lineage back to Queens. Now, a signature treat of the borough is available on Rockaway Avenue.

Lemon Ice King of Corona, located at 128 Rockaway Ave., opened its doors on May 23. It’s 25-year-old owner, Mike Giacobbe Jr., of Woodbury, said he spent much of his time growing up in Valley Stream, where his father, Mike Sr., owns Finish Line Collision on Railroad Avenue.

“I was always on Rockaway Avenue growing up, going to different places with my friends or with my dad,” the younger Giacobbe said. “It’s always been a great community, a very warm and tight-knit place.”

He always wanted to open a business in the area, he said. His father supported the idea.

“I’ve been in the village for over 20 years now, and it has been absolutely great to me,” Mike Sr. said. “Everyone, from people in the area, customers, neighbors, whoever it is, really looks out for each other. I love doing business here.”

Mike Jr. was unsure of what kind of business he wanted, but an opportunity presented itself. Through a mutual friend, he met the Benfaremo family, owners of the historic Lemon Ice King of Corona. The family offered to supply his shop with their product — an unprecedented move in the six-decades-long history of the Queens staple.

“They never really let anyone do something like this before, but because of the trust they had in us and in our mutual friend, he allowed us to do it,” Giacobbe said.

Individual flavors of the brand have been sold at certain wholesale stores or pizzerias and restaurants for years, but Giacobbe’s shop is the first to be licensed as a second location offering all 41 flavors.

Mike Benfaremo, one of the owners of the original shop, said that the Giacobbe’s longevity in the village factored into the decision to do the licensing agreement. He called the father and son “good guys” that his family trusts.

“They came to us, told us the idea they had and what they wanted to do,” he said. “They promised they would stick to the way we do things here, and we decided to take a shot.”

Benfaremo added that his family might consider more licensing arrangements if the Valley Stream location works out.

Giacobbe said that what drew the two families together was a mutual belief in the value of tradition and of “doing things the right way.” For more than 60 years, he said, the recipes and processes that led to the signature Lemon Ice King taste have remained unchanged. Each flavor is still made by hand, using real pieces of fruit, and flavors are never mixed.

“They’re very authentic, and they’re very strict about keeping things pure and carrying on the way it started,” Giacobbe said. “Never substitute, never change — it has to stay the same way, no matter what the reason … We wanted to respect that, and as a family business, we’re big on traditions, and we promised them we would do the same.”

Giacobbe purchased the building containing his storefront in February. Without having to pay rent throughout the year, he can afford to run his seasonal business and close down for the winter in October, opening again in May, but possibly earlier, he said.

Business has been good so far, Giacobbe said. High temperatures during the shop’s first weeks produced a steady flow of traffic, and customers have continued to show up despite slower rainy days.

He said he was touched by the welcome he was given by customers as well as owners and employees of neighboring businesses.

“Everyone has been great,” Giacobbe said. “The people that have come in have all seemed excited to have us in town and wished us well, and we’ve had a lot of other vendors in the area stop by to wish us luck. I feel very fortunate to be able to own a business in an area as great as this.”