Rita’s plans grand opening
Published 9:15pm Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Rita’s Italian Ice will hold a grand opening celebration for its new location at 882 Main St. in the Suffolk Plaza Shopping center on Tuesday, and those who attend will have a chance to score a year’s worth of treats.
The first 100 guests in Suffolk’s first Rita’s location will get free iced treats for a year.
The grand opening celebration will also include a visit from the Rita’s Ice Guy from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., a ribbon-cutting at 11:30 a.m., a check presentation to the Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters, and a family celebration from 6 to 9 p.m. featuring the Rita’s Ice Guy and balloons, stickers and tattoos for kids. Service for those waiting in line will begin at 12:30 p.m.
With its motto, “Ice, Custard, Happiness,” Rita’s traditional Italian Ice is made with real fruit available in more than 60 flavors. Rita’s Ice is made fresh on-site daily at each store.
The new Rita’s Italian Ice is owned and operated by franchisee and local resident Kelly Holschuh. The company employs 14 “Treat Team” members from the local community.
“We are so excited to introduce Rita’s Italian Ice to Suffolk, since the closest frozen treat place is over 15 miles away,” Holschuh said. “We invite the community to celebrate and be first in line to win Rita’s Ice for a year at our Grand Opening August 7th.”
The 1,545 square-foot store will be open Monday through Sunday from noon until 10 p.m.
Rita’s Franchise Company, headquartered in Trevose, Pa., is the largest Italian Ice concept in the nation, currently operating in 19 states with more than 625 units.
Rita’s was named one of the Top 25 Franchise High Performers by the Wall Street Journal’s “Startup Journal” and Ranked #156 on Entrepreneur Magazine’s “Top 500 Franchise Rankings” for 2011.
