Iconic Italian Ice And Ice Cream Franchise 'Coming Soon' To Greenwich

GREENWICH, CT — Ralph's Famous Italian Ices, the iconic New York-based Italian ice and ice cream franchise, is coming to Cos Cob.

Also set to move in are Papito's Empanadas and Toxic Wings. "Coming Soon" signs are affixed to the windows of 158 E. Putnam Ave., the former site of Fjord Fisheries. Fjord moved next door within the past year into a shared space with Flour Water Salt Bread.

It's unclear when Ralph's will open, although the business is usually seasonal and closed during late fall and winter. Patch has reached out to Ralph's for more information.

According to their website, the concept of Ralph's originated in Staten Island, N.Y., in 1928 when Ralph Silvestro, an Italian immigrant, began selling his famous Italian ices.

The first retail store opened on Port Richmond Avenue in Staten Island in 1949, and it wasn't until 1988 that Ralph's expanded outside of the borough, their website says.

Today, there are over 80 locations spread throughout New York and New Jersey. It's routine on a warm summer night to see lines stretched down the sidewalk at Ralph's locations in New York City.

Ralph's features a dizzying array of water ices, cream ices, ice cream, sundaes, shakes and smoothies.

For more information, visit their website.