Beloved Bayside Ice Cream Shop Changes Ownership

BAYSIDE, QUEENS — For well over a decade, New Yorkers near and far have flocked to Bayside when the weather gets warm for a cold (award-winning) treat from Pesso's Ices & Ice Cream. As of Thursday, though, the beloved family-owned business is in new hands.

"Pesso's is Becoming Bella's," the shop announced on social media Wednesday. "After 18 years of serving this amazing community, Mr. Pesso is retiring and passing the business along to our friends Joe and Will. They've been longtime customers and they're planning on keeping the shop the same great place you've loved for so long."

Little can be gleaned about Bella's Italian Ice from its website — save from the fact that, like Pesso's, it will be open at 203-20 35th Avenue from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily — but Pesso's guaranteed that the new ice cream shop will live up to its predecessor.

"The homemade ices and ice cream you know and love will stay the same," the shop promised, noting that the team at Pesso's has taught the new owners its Italian ice, ice cream and gelato recipes — all of which a father-and-son duo have been made in house since 2004 to the tune of 80 flavors per-day.

Reward points, gift cards and email subscriptions will also carry over, Pesso's said, adding that the social media pages will stay the same, too.

Although the original team behind Pesso's is moving on, they won't be leaving the community, which they promise to stay a part of and credit with their success.

"Mr. Pesso had a dream of opening up a little shop, and over the years you have helped our family grow it into a destination," the team said, thanking customers and staff for being the "backbone of our business."

"We will definitely keep coming to Bella’s as customers for the same great homemade ices and ice cream that we’ve been making, and we hope you will too."

Pesso's did not immediately respond to Patch's request for comment on the business change.