Rita's Italian Ice returning to Greater Akron with Streetsboro location

Diane Smith, Record-Courier
·1 min read
Rita's Italian Ice plans to renovate this vacant building at 9292 state Route 14 in Streetsboro. The last Rita's location in Greater Akron in Cuyahoga Falls closed in 2018.
Rita's Italian Ice plans to renovate this vacant building at 9292 state Route 14 in Streetsboro. The last Rita's location in Greater Akron in Cuyahoga Falls closed in 2018.

Greater Akron Italian ice fans, rejoice.

Rita's Italian Ice is coming back to the area.

The Streetsboro Planning Commission approved plans for a new Rita's Italian Ice at the center of town.

Rita’s, founded in a suburb of Philadelphia, specializes in Italian ice, frozen custard and gelati. A location on State Road in Cuyahoga Falls closed in 2018 after the owner of the property sold the land to Acme Fresh Market for its expansion.

More: Rita's Italian Ice in Cuyahoga Falls says 'arrivederci'

Ed Begue, an architect with Baker, Bednar, Snyder and Associates of Warren, shows off plans for an Rita's Italian Ice in Streetsboro.
Ed Begue, an architect with Baker, Bednar, Snyder and Associates of Warren, shows off plans for an Rita's Italian Ice in Streetsboro.

Ed Begue, an architect with Baker, Bednar, Snyder and Associates of Warren, presented plans for the new Streetsboro location. Rita's plans to redevelop a former Flowerama store at 9292 state Route 14, next to Public Square.

The Streetsboro location hopes to open within 60 days, by the end of the summer, Begue said.

Rita's now has only two other locations in Ohio, in Austintown and Elyria. A Rita's representative said the company hopes to establish other locations in Northeast Ohio.

Planning commission members and a resident asked questions about traffic flow. Begue said he didn't anticipate any left turns in or out of the building, noting that customers could enter or leave the property through an entrance off Public Square.

Plans for an Rita's Italian Ice, as submitted to the city of Streetsboro.
Plans for an Rita's Italian Ice, as submitted to the city of Streetsboro.

Broken Egg Cafe to open in former Streetsboro IHOP location

The commission also approved the redevelopment of the former IHOP at 9700 state Route 14 into Another Broken Egg Cafe.

The restaurant chain has seven locations in Ohio, including Westlake and North Canton.

This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Rita's Italian Ice returning to Akron area with Streetsboro location