National frozen dessert chain opens seventh Jacksonville-area shop in Ponte Vedra
To help beat the summer heat with sweet treats, a Pennsylvania-based frozen dessert chain has opened its seventh Jacksonville-area Italian ice and frozen custard shop in Ponte Vedra Beach.
Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard, known for freshly made Italian ice, frozen custard, gelati, Blendini, concretes, milkshakes and more is now open at 840 A1A N. in The Fresh Market-anchored Corridors at Ponte Vedra shopping center.
The other Jacksonville-area locations of Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard are:
13529 Beach Blvd. Suite 101 in Jacksonville
393 3rd St N. Jacksonville Beach
255 Rivertown Shops Drive in Saint Johns
70 Silver Forest Drive in St. Augustine
380 A1A Beach Blvd. in St. Augustine
76020 William Burgess Blvd. Unit No. 6 in Yulee
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Made with real fruit, Rita’s signature Italian Ice is made fresh daily on-site and available in a rotating daily selection from over 80 flavors.
Recent flavors of the day have ranged from Swedish Fish to Mango, Pina Colada, Island Fusion, Cotton Candy and Ocean Splash, according to a post on the Ponte Vedra Beach shop's Facebook page.
During the grand opening, beginning at 3 p.m. the first 50 people in line at the Ponte Vedra location will receive a free Rita’s Italian Ice for a year while supplies last. No purchase is necessary. But the limit is 1 per household in line and verification information may be required, according to a news release announcing the grand opening.
In addition, the shop will be offering guests a $2 small Italian Ice and $3 small Gelati throughout the celebration. The ribbon cutting will be at 4 p.m., the news release states.
The Ponte Vedra Beach store is open from noon to 9 p.m. daily.
Based in Trevose, Penn., Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard, with the motto "Ice, Custard, Happiness!" opened its doors in Bensalem, Penn., in 1984. It is the largest Italian Ice concept in the world with approximately 550 shops, according to its website.
Teresa Stepzinski is the dining reporter for the Times-Union. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @TeresaStepz or reach her via email at [email protected].
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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard opens in Ponte Vedra Beach
