Century-old Italian ice recipe is creating childhood memories for a whole new generation

What started in 1915 as a neighborhood Italian ice shop without a sign is ready to expand nationwide by offering franchises.

“It was one of those, ‘If you know, you know. It’s that little green shack,'” DiCosmo’s Italian Ice owner Eileen O’Connor told Fox News Digital of the original Elizabeth, New Jersey, location.

Now a community institution in Metuchen, New Jersey, DiCosmo’s is hoping like-minded businesspeople will carry on their tradition by opening Italian ice shops in other places, with particular interest in franchises along the Eastern Seaboard and in warm-weather states, where shops can stay open longer.

Being a welcoming place for the community to gather is “so satisfying,” she said.

“I didn’t know it’s what I wanted to do from the start, but I’m so glad I was born into this family where I can do this,” O’Connor said.

Since offering franchise opportunities recently, DiCosmo’s has received several inquiries, O’Connor said.