Ice Cream Shop In West Orange Mourns Death Of Beloved Founder

WEST ORANGE, NJ — A popular ice cream shop in West Orange had sad news to share on Friday: one of its founders has passed away.

The new owners of Mark & Julie's Homemade Ice Cream posted the following message on Facebook about the death of well-respected local businessman, Mark Orenstein:

“We are sad to share that Mark, the founder of our shop, has lost his battle with pancreatic cancer yesterday, per his wife Julie. The first day we personally met Mark, after years of admiring his work and competition, we instantly clicked realizing the same guy got us into the ice cream business, we reminisced on our favorite marshmallow fluff that you couldn’t buy anymore, and soon we were talking about traveling Europe, our favorite pasta in Rome, and our love of food and finding killer restaurants off the beaten path. In a single conversation I saw and experienced the infectious personality that so many came to know and love when they entered his store on Pleasant Valley Way, and why so many people truly felt like family. Back in the early summer Mark and his family picked up a bunch of pints for a dinner, and his call to tell me they loved everything, and compliment a new flavor we introduced, meant more to us than we could ever express in words. Our prayers go out to Julie and his family during this time.”

The Orensteins launched their namesake business in 1994. Seeing a need for an ice cream store in West Orange, they found a space available in the small strip mall along Pleasant Valley Way, just off the corner of Eagle Rock Avenue.

"The location was perfect," Orenstein told Patch in 2011. "Right in West Orange, close to Verona, Roseland and Montclair." Read More: The Scoop Behind Mark & Julie's Homemade Ice Cream

After Mark was diagnosed with cancer, the Orensteins sold the store to Mike and Bre Guerriero, who also own a gelato shop in Caldwell. They explained more about the decision in a March Facebook post, which read:

“To all our Facebook friends and family! It is with a heavy heart that due to our ongoing health issues, we had to make the difficult decision to sell our store. As you know, Mark has been battling cancer and undergoing aggressive treatment since last year, and I have been facing my own health issues. We have decided that it is best for us to focus on our health, spend time together, and let someone who can dedicate the time necessary to running this business and ‘carry the torch.’

“Mark and I want to take a moment to thank everyone who supported us over the past 27 years. Some of you have been coming to our store as young kids with your families, now coming in with kids of your own. Some came here on your first date, brought your kids for ice cream and now bringing in your grandchildren. It has been such a pleasure watching everyone growing up throughout the years and although life changes, ice cream helps bring out the kid in all of us.

“The past two years dealing with the pandemic has been tough for everyone and we appreciated all your support.

“All the people reaching out to offer prayers and well wishes for Mark’s health, the literally hundreds of comments we received on Facebook, the e-card we received organized by Peter Tourian, teacher at WOHS and signed by so many of the students, the giant card from the Girl Scout Troop 20056, and other Get-Well cards, customers calling, texting and checking in have meant the world to us, and you have all become our family. We hope that we impacted your life, as much as you impacted ours.

“Mike, his wife Bre, and their adorable daughter Vincenza will be taking over Mark & Julie’s Ice Cream. They have a lot of experience in the ice cream and cake business, but what matters most is that they love the store as much as we do. They will be keeping our name, our flavors, our recipes, and also bringing in other exciting products, but most importantly they will keep our legacy going. They want nothing more than to meet you and keep your favorite ice cream shop going for future generations! We hope that you will give them a chance because it was tough for us to let this place go, it has been our second home for 27+ years, but in meeting this family we knew they would be a perfect fit.”

News of the beloved ice cream entrepreneur's passing inspired messages of condolence from several devoted fans of the shop, including Sen. Richard Codey, who called it his "favorite ice cream store."

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