A popular South Philadelphia store known for selling the treat known locally as water ice is shuttered this summer after the death of the owner’s brother,
the
Philadelphia Inquirer
reported.
Italiano’s has sold the treat — known elsewhere as Italian ice — for three generations and has been ranked as one of the best water ice and gelato shops in the city. The store has traditionally been open from early May through early September. Frankie Italiano, brother of store owner Nancy Italiano, died suddenly in February at the age of 52, the
Inquirer
article said.
Nancy Italiano told the
Inquirer
that in closing the store, she is honoring her father’s wishes. She said the store would probably not open at all this summer and may not open next summer. She told the newspaper she hoped it would reopen at some point.
Customers continue to stop by the store and have created a Facebook page supporting it, the
Inquirer
article noted. (Source:
Philadelphia Inquirer,
July 9, 2013.)
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