March 22, 2006

Rocky's Italian Ice Provides a Cool Treat

Four Rocky's Italian Ice gelatis – strawberry kiwi, banana, mango, and cherry – enjoy their final moments before being consumed by the public relations staff.

Rocky's Italian Ice recently opened for its fourth season of "making people cool."

Rocky's, located on William Street near the intersection with Liberty Street, specializes in Italian water ice, custard/ice cream, gelati – which is similar to a sundae combining the Italian water ice and custard -- and smoothie – which is a gelati mixed all together.

"Italian ice is similar to a slushy, we place a mixture of water, syrup, and sugar in a machine that is very similar to an ice cream maker," says Casey Moore, co-manager of the store with Josh Moore. 

The Italian ice can be eaten alone or mixed with the French custard for a delicious treat that is priced between $1.35 (kid Italian ice) and $3.90 (large smoothie). Tuesday is College ID day, so stop in and show your Ohio Wesleyan student ID for buy-one-get-one-free specials on gelati and smoothies.

Another promotion in April will feature the "T-Shirt Card" where patrons filling up their T-shirt card will receive a free Rocky's Italian Ice T-Shirt (valued at $10).

Rocky's Italian Ice is open Monday through Friday from 2-9 p.m. and Saturday from noon-9 p.m. "As the weather warms, our hours and selection will expand," says Moore. The entire flavor docket includes 28 varieties – ranging from pina colada to red raspberry, sugar-free cherry to key lime, and sour apple to coconut crème – rotated throughout the summer.

Rocky's expanded last year to include inside seating, for those who need their gelati fix when the forecast is calling for five inches of snow or to escape the 90-degree heat of an Ohio summer.

Either way, Rocky's Italian Ice is once again making people cool.

— Toby Boyce