After leaving the WBFO studios today, Elena and I noticed a business called Rita’s Ice Custard Happiness (3476 Main St). Neither one of us had ever heard of it, so I hopped online to see what the scoop was. It turns out that the first Rita’s opened in Pennsylvania in 1984, and by 1987 the family that operated the business had decided to franchise. There are now more than 400 Rita’s in the entire operation… and plans to grow to 1500 locations by the year 2010. From the sounds of it, the Italian ices – the recipes from which the company was founded, remains the cool top seller. The company does offer Gelati, cones, shakes, cream ices and custards. Now I’m still going to head to Sweet Tooth when I need my ice cream fix, but I do find it fascinating that the world of custard has such legs to grow on.
When I first heard of Cold Stone Creamery, (CSC) I had to scratch my head. Ice cream mixed together on an artist’s pallet? How could that be so popular? I still have not stopped into the Cold Stone Creamery at 2674 Delaware, though I hear that it is very popular. What’s interesting is that the first CSC opened in Tempe, Arizona one year after Rita’s opened its original store. Now the company boasts over 1600 locations. The two companies have been battling it out ever since – each coming up with more unusual concoctions to please the masses. I always knew that there were donut and coffee wars… I guess I just hadn’t heard of the ice cream wars.
queenseyes
Newell Nussbaumer is 'queenseyes' - Eyes of the Queen City and Founder of Buffalo Rising. Co-founder Elmwood Avenue Festival of the Arts. Co-founder Powder Keg Festival that built the world's largest ice maze (Guinness Book of World Records). Instigator behind Emerald Beach at the Erie Basin Marina. Co-creator of Rusty Chain Beer. Instigator of Buffalo Porchfest, and Paint vs. Paint. Founder of The Peddler retro and vintage market on Elmwood. Instigator behind Liberty Hound @ Canalside. Throws The Witches Ball at Statler City, the Hertel Alley Street Art Festival, and The Flutterby Festival. And his latest adventure... FigBuffalo, with the intention of creating a Buffalo United Fashion Front (BUFF). Contact Newell Nussbaumer | Newell@BuffaloRising.com