Metuchen, NJ – DiCosmo’s Italian Ice, a cherished local institution, marked a significant milestone on June 4, celebrating 110 years of serving its beloved frozen treats. To commemorate more than a century of success, the family-run business is offering a unique promotion at its Metuchen location: one small free Italian ice to a different customer every day for 110 days, ending on September 22.
The celebration is a testament to the enduring legacy of Giovanni and Caterina DiCosmo, southern Italian immigrants who began selling lemon Italian ice in Elizabeth, New Jersey, in 1915. Their frozen dessert, inspired by Sicilian granita, offered a refreshing escape during hot summers and quickly became a local favorite. Today, their great-granddaughter, Eileen DiCosmo O’Connor, continues to preserve their tradition and recipes in Metuchen, a testament to the family’s commitment to quality and community.
The Metuchen shop, opened five years ago as a sister store to the original, celebrated the occasion with $1.10 small cups of Italian ice. The promotion is designed to thank loyal customers and engage new ones, with winners randomly selected from followers on DiCosmo’s social media platforms or email subscribers.
“I’m surprised that this little seasonal business selling this niche item has endured,” said O’Connor, the fourth-generation co-owner. “I’m really proud. I know we have a great product and we wouldn’t be here without our customers. I appreciate that for generations, they keep wanting more.”
DiCosmo’s Italian Ice maintains its original methods and ingredients, using fresh-squeezed lemon juice, sugar, and water, with other real fruits like strawberries, peaches, and apples added seasonally. This commitment to freshness ensures that the ice remains high in quality, with small batches made to preserve the signature melt-in-your-mouth texture.
The store offers an array of flavors, from traditional lemon to unique seasonal offerings like lime mint and dragon fruit pineapple. The shop opens according to the weather, sometimes extending its season into October if temperatures allow. The original Elizabeth location, recently sold to new owners who will continue DiCosmo’s methods, plans to reopen soon.
As DiCosmo’s Italian Ice looks to the future, O’Connor hopes the fifth generation will continue to carry the family torch. “I hope that one of my kids takes the shop over one day,” she expressed. “There are 14 grandchildren, so if not mine, then maybe some of the cousins.”
For those wanting to experience a bit of this storied legacy, DiCosmo’s Italian Ice can be found at 20 New Street, Metuchen, New Jersey. To find out more or participate in their promotion, follow them on Facebook or Instagram, or subscribe via their website, dicosmos.com.
