THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, June 14, 1996 TAG: 9606120131
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 14 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
LENGTH: 31 lines
Rita's Italian Ices will celebrate its opening in Churchland at 11 a.m. Saturday by offering free samples to introduce the ices to the community.
Joe McGowan, part-owner of the new business, said the store is the second location of the franchise in South Hampton Roads.
``There's one on Lynnhaven Parkway in Virginia Beach, and we were looking originally in Virginia Beach for our location,'' he said. ``Then we expanded our search and found this space in Portsmouth that we think is the best location for us.''
The space in Churchland Shopping Center formerly was occupied by Almost a Bank. The site is on the corner of the strip at 5700 Churchland Blvd.
Rita's Italian Ices are made daily on the premises from fresh fruit. In addition to a variety of flavors of ices, the store also sells frozen custard, gelati (a blend of Italian ice and custard) and soft pretzels.
The store, which opened June 1, is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, including Sunday.
Rita's Italian Ices was founded in Philadelphia in 1984. By 1995, the chain had expanded to 70 franchises on the East Coast, from New York to Florida. The Portsmouth store is one of 60 additional franchises expected to open this year. McGowan said he moved to the area from Philadelphia to start the business.
``Frankly, we've been very pleased with the reception so far,'' he said. ``We're doing OK already.'' by CNB