Tri-State area transplants, Italian ices anyone? (Garland, Keller: neighborhoods, shop, metro area)

[Little Jimmy]

Wife and I have been hear a while (she is from here and I am from Freehold, NJ). I know there are tons of New York/New Jersey transplants and many from the surrounding areas.

We are looking to see if there is a market for Italian Ices here in the DFW Metro area. Unfortunately we are not ready to open a Rita's Italian Ice Franchise, but we are looking for input on the old scoopable kind served in dixie cups, Weazer's, Little Jimmy's, etc. The kind your local pizza place served.

What is your favorite Italian Ice brand and flavor?

[Spree]

I haven't hear Rita's Italian Ice mentioned in a long time!

It might do well here ... there are a couple of Paciugo Italian Gelato places here already and I've seen a couple of frozen custard places. You would have to research the possibility. Walking neighborhoods would be ideal as families could stop in, a place for teens to meet or even around SMU.

[KantLockeMeIn]

Yeah, I was going to mention Pacuigo's as well, it's Gelato, the closest thing I have found. There's Bahama Buck's who have BRMs which is shaved ice and ice cream, which is like the Gelato you can get in Philly... but none of it is like a NY Italian Ice.

I would look at one of the new open area malls like Firewheel in Garland or the Southlake Town Center. With the summers being so long here, I bet there would be a market for a nice cold ice on a hot day of shopping.

[Little Jimmy]

We were just discussing the up and coming pseudo-urban style Town Centers. Southlake was the first to enter my mind. Keller has one on the way, but both of you had some great suggestions.

Thanks