Dessert
Storm
September 2007
by Kathleen Smith for The Star
Aldo's
Water Ice & Ice Cream has been serving the city since even
before its Ontario Street storefront opened. Now it is receiving
some national acclaim.
Labor Day has come and gone, a reminder that
autumns chill is on the way.
Children everywhere are heading back to school. Everything around
us says that summer has come to an end.
But you`d never know that, judging by the lines of customers
who still gather outside Aldo's Water Ice & Ice
Cream.
Port Richmond resident Dennis Raffa`s extremely popular water
ice shop is open until October 1, when it will close for two
weeks, as it does each year, only to reopen as a pastry store--he
calls it Aldo's Guilty Pleasures--on October
15.
The "window service only" store is on the corner of
Thompson and Ontario streets and has been a neighborhood favorite
during it`s 3 year existence.
Citywide, its popularity continues to grow. And some might even
argue that it is growing nationwide as well.
The store recently was featured in an industry magazine, Frozen
Desserts. In addition, Raffa has been invited
to speak at the International Frozen Dessert Expo in Las Vegas
this weekend.
Raffa will tell others in the industry about his experiences.
He will also offer advice to those entering the business.
Aldo's is the only water ice company that will be featured at
the expo. Raffa doesn't`t worry much about modesty when he tells
you the reason for this is plain and simple.
"It`s because I`m the best at what I do." he said.
He feels privileged to be invited to the expo.
"It`s quite an honor to be considered an expert."
he said.
The store is also featured on Fox 29`s "Hot List"
which invites people to vote for Philadelphia`s best local businesses.
Aldo's is up for "Best Water Ice in Philadelphia"
but many customers have left comments praising not only the
Raffa`s water ice but also his ice cream.
A family affair.
Aldo's is, and always has been, very much about family.
Happily married for 34 years, he and his wife Carol are parents
to Danielle, 29, who he says is his "pride and joy".
He insists the quality is his top priority when he is doing
business: "I wouldn't`t sell anything that I would`t put
on my kitchen table for my family and friends." he said.
Raffa and his wife, with the help of nine employees, work their
hardest to provide the very best for their customers.
Though the store has been at its Ontario Street location for
just three years, Raffa has been in the business of manufacturing
desserts for 34 years.
The former bricklayer would spend his time off learning the
trade from his uncle and his cousin, whose success in the water
ice business was evident in South Philadelphia with their own
store, Pop's Water Ice.
Raffa assured his customers,"If you like Pop's, then you`ll
definitely like Aldo's".
Starting out just perfecting two flavors, cherry and lemon,
he maintained a strictly wholesale business for many years.
It was "the best kept secret in Philadelphia," he
notes.
Finally though, Raffa decided it was time to reveal that secret.
In 2005, a year after completing certification in ice cream
manufacturing and retailing from Penn State University, Raffa
opened Aldo's as a retail location on Ontario Street.
The lifelong Port Richmond resident said it was important to
him to open a store in the neighborhood. The stores location,
situated among row homes, maintains the feeling of community
that characterizes Port Richmond.
Raffa can usually be found sitting outside the store in the
evening, smoking his cigar and urging customers to take a sample
of everything the Aldo's has to offer.
With plenty of water ice flavors to choose from, it is Aldo's
cherry water ice that continues to be a customer favorite.
In the fall and winter months, when Aldo's becomes a pastry
shop, Raffa serves everything from brownies to creme brulee.
With his shop known for its canolis and tiramisu, Raffa promises
that Aldo's pastries "will just tickle you toes". |
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Aldo's
is now on Facebook!
