Our Story
April 9, 2021 – Opening Day 2021
The staff of Ralph’s Italian Ices in Port Richmond pose outside of the shop on its opening day April 9, 2021.
2020 – Westfield Ralph’s Opens
The Ralph’s in Westfield, New Jersey opens its doors for the first time.
September 11, 2020 – “Avenue A” Ralph’s Opens
The Ralph’s on Avenue A in New York City, New York opens its doors for the first time.
April 2020 – Ralph’s Ices Hard Seltzer Debuts
Flagship Brewery and Ralph’s Ices team up to create Ralph’s Ices Hard Seltzer in a 12-pack sampler with lemon, watermelon, and orange creamsicle flavors.
June, 20 2019 – Marisa Tomei & Bill Burr Shoot Film Scene
Marisa Tomei and Bill Burr film a scene at the Port Richmond Ralph’s for the 2020 film King of Staten Island directed by Judd Apatow and starring Pete Davidson.
May 9, 2019 – Wu Tan Clan Films TV Show
Wu-Tang Clan turns Ralph’s Italian Ices in Port Richmond into a burger joint and films a segment for their Hulu production, “Wu-Tan Clan: An American Saga.”
2018 – The “Ralphie Sandwich” Is Introduced
The Ralphie Sandwich is introduced. A warm french waffle ice cream sandwich with raspberry, chocolate, or pancake sauce.
May 12, 2018 – Shake Shack Pop Up Event
To celebrate Shake Shack opening in the Staten Island, Shake Shack will “popped” up at our flagship Ralph’s Store in Port Richmond, Staten Island. Folks were treated to ShackBurgers and crinkle-cut fries alongside our one-day-only Strawberry SHACKcake flavor Italian Ice.
2015 – Ralph’s Ices Mural Painted
Graffiti artist Kwue Molly paints new mural outside Ralph’s Ices in Port Richmond, Staten Island.
2013 – Ralph’s Ices In Freeport, Long Island
Ralph’s Italian Ices on the scenic Nautical Mile in Freeport, New York from back in 2013. Photo by Joe Mabel
September 12, 2009 – Mayor Bloomberg Visits Ralph’s
Mayor Michael Bloomberg takes a scooping lesson from Ralph’s Italian Ice worker Gianna Rivera, 16, of Castleton Corners before serving it up at the window, as part of a campaign stop on Staten Island.
July 30, 2006 – Happy Birthday From Ralph’s!
Dillon Greco celebrates his 13th birthday with a cake batter flavored ice at Ralph’s Famous Italian Ices Sunday, July 30, 2006 in Port Richmond.
1999 – Ralph’s Launches Its First Website
Ralph’s launches its first website.
1998 – Franklin Square Ralph’s Opens
The Ralph’s Franklin Square, Long Island location opens its doors for the first time.
1997 – Ralph’s Ices in Staten Island
Titanic was breaking box office records, MMMBop by Hanson was a huge hit, Seinfeld was “must-see” TV, and Ralph’s was still keeping people cool back in 1997.
1988 – Ralph’s Expands Outside Staten Island
We start delivering Ralph’s Italian Ices to locations outside Staten Island so people could enjoy a real Italian Ice.
1986 – Ralph’s Ices in Staten Island
Ferris Bueller took a day off, Kenny Loggins was in the Danger Zone, Kirk Cameron had Growing Pains, and Ralph’s was still serving us tasty treats on a hot day back in 1986.
1985 – Grandpa Ralph’s Three Grandsons
Grandpa Ralph’s three grandsons – Larry, John, and Mike – start working in the Staten Island store.
1966 – Grandpa Ralph Retires
Grandpa Ralph retires. His two daughters, Lucile and Elise, continue the family business. This next generation started to create new flavors, always using the finest ingredients available in order to maintain Grandpa’s high standards.
1949 – First Retail Location Opens In Staten Island
After our grandfather Ralph’s treats became a summertime favorite, he opens his first retail location on Port Richmond Avenue in Staten Island.
1945 – Grandpa Ralph’s Niece Connie Marries
The niece of Ralph’s Ices founder – marries Joseph Carannante four years after meeting him while working the counter at the Port Richmond, Staten Island Ralph’s.
1928 – The Ralph’s Ices Story Begins
Our grandfather, Ralph Silvestro, came to the United States from Italy when he was a young man. He began making what would turn out to be his famous Italian Ices and sold them throughout Staten Island.