Philadelphia Water Ice Factory opened its doors in the summer of 1988 in the Port Richmond section of Philadelphia. The headlines read “you don’t have to go to South Philly for great Italian ice any more.” It was an instant success. Our retail store produced its own Italian ices and ice cream fresh every day!
Owners Ronald Kaleck and son Robert made all the products themselves, working from early morning to late at night.
People came from all over the city to taste what PHILADELPHIA MAGAZINE called the BEST Italian ices they ever had, and named Philadelphia Water Ice “Best of Philly.”
The lines at the store grew and grew. To keep up with demand, Robert hired his long time friend Steve Matthews. Rob and Steve saw a great opportunity to sell their products wholesale, and partnered up to do so.
Philadelphia Water Ice continued to expand its product line to include ice cream (both soft serve mix and hand dipped) as well as supplies for water ice and ice cream stores. The company began licensing the use of its name to customers.
