Click here to subscribe today or Login.
Monday, March 17, 2003 Page:
2a SUNDAY
(!NOCAT!)tlsptsPHILADELPHIA – Rita’s, the nation’s largest Italian ice
chain, will give a free regular ice to everyone who stops by one of its more
than 260 locations on Thursday. To celebrate the arrival of spring at 8:52
p.m., Rita’s expects to give away almost 500,000 free cups of ice. The big
giveaway runs from noon to closing March 20.
Stores in the area are located in Kingston (331-9135), Hazleton (459-2955),
Bloomsburg (380-7515), Scranton (342-0296), Dunmore (341-7482) and Old Forge
(451-3808).
“This is something that our customers have looked forward to and really
enjoy,” said Robert Tumolo, Rita’s chief executive officer. “It’s a great way
to start the warm weather season and welcome new customers.”
Rita’s spring free ice giveaway is a gigantic undertaking. The estimated
500,000 cups will require more than 5 million ounces of Rita’s Italian Ice.
That’s the equivalent of 160 tons of snow or 106,667 snowballs. It could be
formed into 9,470,000 ice cubes, which, if laid end to end, would stretch more
than twice the distance between Rita’s hometown of Philadelphia and Baltimore.
Melted it would be equivalent to 42,968 gallons of water – enough to fill two
backyard swimming pools or 859 bathtubs.
The job will require 2,600 Rita’s employees and 15,000 hours to make the
ice and fill the cups.
Rita’s Italian ices are made fresh daily and are available in more than 25
different flavors – from the traditional favorites like cherry and lemon to
the new Cappuccino Cream Ice and the “Xtreme” flavors of Wild Black Cherry,
Citrus Blast and Green Apple.
Rita’s features ices, cones, shakes and other cool stuff. Rita’s old-
fashioned Frozen Custard, available in chocolate and vanilla, can be served in
either a cone or a cup. Rita’s famous Gelati provides frozen dessert fans with
the best of both worlds with its layers of ice and custard. Rita’s Misto is a
blend of Italian ice with a creamy custard base that, when mixed, forms a
refreshing treat that can be enjoyed on the go. Rita’s also offers Cream Ices
for those who prefer a treat that is smoother and richer than Italian ice, but
not as heavy as ice cream.
(!PAGE!)2a
(!PUBDATE!)0316
(!NOTES!)
(!HED!)for a sweet way to celebrate spring, head to rita’s for free Italian
ice
(!AUTHOR!)