The 85-year-old dessert company Ralph’s Famous Italian Ices & Ice Cream is making its way back to Manhattan.
The Staten Island-based dessert chain, just signed a 10-year lease for 400 s/f at 362 2nd Avenue in Gramercy. ABS Partners Real Estate’s Dean Valentino and Mark Tergeson represented the tenant and the building owner, Akelius.
Ralph’s has outposts in Staten Island, Long Island, Queens, Westchester County and northern Jersey, but the latest lease marks its return to Manhattan. The company had to leave its former 144 East 24th Street location after the building was sold and the retail spaces were replaced by branded restaurants.
“We are beyond excited to bring Ralph’s Italian Ices & Ice Cream to Manhattan” said Rich Salant, owner of Ralph’s Italian Ices & Ice Cream. “To bring something new to a city that has nearly everything is very special. Our shop will be offering approximately 100 different flavors of Italian ices, as well as ice cream, shakes, smoothies and sundaes. We will be grand opening in early March 2019 and look forward to becoming a neighborhood favorite.”
The company was founded in 1949 in Staten Island and has since expanded to more than 60 locations with over 150 flavors.
“Our long-term relationships with building owners in Manhattan undoubtedly helped in finding the right space as Ralph’s ownership sought to expand its presence in the Tri-state area,” said Dean Valentino of ABS Partners Real Estate. “The vibrant Second Avenue corridor draws foot traffic from residents, visitors and office workers alike and we’re excited to bring this family-owned business to this bustling neighborhood.”
