Fans Sad As Strollo's Lighthouse Closes Point Pleasant Beach Location

POINT PLEASANT BEACH, NJ — A beloved ice cream shop has closed its windows for good in Point Pleasant Beach, to the dismay of its many fans in the area.

Strollo's Lighthouse, at 101 Ocean Ave. North, is closing down after 25 years in business, the company announced Wednesday on its Instagram account.

"It is bittersweet as we have loved starting the summer months with everyone who visits the 'Shore' and looks forward to a cold, refreshing Italian Ice before (or after) hitting the beach and attractions," the ownership wrote in the announcement.

The statement did not give additional details on what prompted the decision to close. An email to the ownership was not immediately answered on Thursday.

Fans of the shop commented on the Instagram post, some urging the company to rethink the closure.

"Why would you close this?? This location attracted everyone from the PPB side of the inlet and everyone who wanted dessert from Broadway. This was my little brother and I’s favorite dessert every day of the summer 💔" one fan wrote.

"I think we need to take a step back and reevaluate this decision," another wrote, and a reply to that comment said, "This was literally the place I grew up. Waiting every year for them to open. ... This location was the best because it was so close. 💔Wish we could change their minds and somehow save this location 😭💕"

"We (would) ride our bikes all through the beach side of town and go to the Inlet etc. Always a great stop without having to go onto the boardwalk or almost get hit 20 times on 35," another fan wrote.

"Strollo's Lighthouse has felt so fortunate to be able to be part of so many customers' summer memories in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ," the announcement said. "We are grateful that we can call Point Pleasant Beach a home of ours and have had the most fun serving you each season."

"We will miss you, Point!" they wrote.

They urged fans to visit their other locations, including the original location in Long Branch opened in 1976 by Ray Strollo, whose father, Tony Strollo, had sold the Italian ice on the boardwalk in Long Branch for years. There is a second location in Long Branch in the West End section of town, and there are Strollo's locations in Red Bank and in the Belford section of Middletown.