Lisa Marie's Adds New Flavor to Halstead Ave.

The homemade welcome sign and family photos on the wall say a lot about on Halstead Avenue—the brand new store is the definition of locally owned and operated.

Owner Lisa Giuliano first got the idea to open the shop about a year ago when she passed the then-vacant storefront at 240 Halstead Ave. while walking her dog. She had never owned a business before, but figured a call to the landlord wouldn't hurt.

A few months and a full education in business ownership later, Giuliano is the proud owner of one of Westchester's only flavored ice shops.

"I just called the number and that kind of got the ball rolling," said Giuliano. "Everything kind of fell into place."

The store's current specialty is best described as an often non-dairy cross between ice cream and sherbet. Giuliano's sister owned a similar type of flavored ice store in northern Westchester and the snack is popular on Long Island, but isn't as common in the suburbs north of New York City.

There are currently 20 different flavors of the snack available, and Giuliano plans to add coffee, lattes and other snacks in the future, depending on customers' demands.

It's a small operation, so Giuliano said she wants to be careful with spending as she adjusts her store to the needs of the neighborhood.

"I want to introduce everything slowly and not overspend and blow out my budget," she said.

So far, the new shop has been a welcomed addition to Harrison's downtown. The delicious flavors and welcoming storefront have been a hit with the after school crowd and with people leaving other events downtown. It's the type of store where the owner is always behind the register, greeting customers with a smile.

Giuliano hopes for a grand opening when the busier spring season rolls around. She hopes to add a nook for children to read books near the store's front entrance and make her shop a destination for children in the neighborhood. There are even plans to add a couple of tables on the sidewalk in front of the store during the summer.

Although the cold winter season is typically a tough time for business in the frozen snack industry, Giuliano said she decided to open in January to give her the opportunity to meet with customers and see what the community enjoys. She opens and closes the shop herself every day, working as a teacher's assistant by day before rushing back to Harrison to open the doors at Lisa Marie's in the afternoon. She doesn't have any employees yet, so all of the work of running the store falls on her shoulders.

It's a busy schedule, but Giuliano said she wanted to learn the ropes as she gets to know her customers and they get to know her.

"It's teaching me, it's an education," she said.

As she continues to improve and add to her homey shop on Halstead Avenue, Giuliano's store offers some local charm and delicious snacks for anyone who would like to try something new. Those that have, she said, haven't been disappointed.