Name of business: Rita’s Italian Ice
Type of business: Frozen treat franchise
Location: 2745 Countryside Dr., Suite B, Turlock
Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Contact information: 209-633-3008
Specialty: Italian ice and custard
History of business:
While others around the country were celebrating the Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl LII victory parade and the start of the 2018 Olympic Winter Games on Thursday, residents of Turlock were cheering, but for a different reason – the grand opening of the city’s newest sweet shop, Rita’s Italian Ice.
The motto at Rita’s is, “Ice, Custard, Happiness,” and the store serves up all three thanks to its 25 flavors of frozen custard and over 75 flavors of Italian ice. Both delicacies are hand crafted in the store daily, and Turlock’s location is the first in the entire state of California to open with the franchise’s newest store design called a Creamery.
“The new store design really showcases our freshly-made products and has a more modern look that is fun and inviting,” said owner Nicholas Schutte. “We are excited to finally open our doors to the Turlock community and look forward to providing a fantastic new frozen treat experience.”
Rita’s is all about keeping their prized Italian ice fresh, so all 96 flavors aren’t always available, said employee Bertha Medina. Instead, the shop rotates its flavors to create as much variety as possible, with more popular flavors – like mango and cotton candy – making appearances in the lineup more often.
The frozen custards are rotated too, she added, but not as often. As part of the franchise’s new Creamery model the new custards are not available at most other Rita’s locations, and the store also offers other unique items, like fresh baked custard cookie sandwiches.
Turlock resident Jeanne Kelley stopped by Rita’s of Turlock on Tuesday to pick up a Valentine’s Day gift for her family members who live in Modesto, she said.
“My family absolutely loves the Rita’s in Modesto, so when I heard it was here in town now I thought, ‘Oh, awesome!’” said Kelley.
