Rita's Italian Ice grand opening Thursday in Streetsboro

Just in time for the holiday weekend, Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard will celebrate its grand opening on Thursday at 9292 state Route 14 in Streetsboro, next to Public Square.

The shop, which features Italian ice and frozen custard treats, has redeveloped a former Flowerama store.

Rita’s previously had a location on State Road in Cuyahoga Falls that closed in 2018 after the owner of the property sold the land to Acme Fresh Market for its expansion.

Starting at 3 p.m. Thursday, the Streetsboro location will reward the first 50 guests in line with free Rita’s Italian Ice for a year. From 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., guests can take photos with Ice Guy, the Rita’s mascot. Other features of the event are merchandise giveaways and a face painter. The store also will offer a $2 small Italian ice and a $3 small gelati all day Thursday.

Local franchisees Jim and Karen Myers will host the shop’s official ribbon-cutting ceremony at 4 p.m. The Myerses will donate 20% of Thursday's total sales to The Littlest Heroes , an organization dedicated to funding the financial, emotional and social needs that accompany childhood cancer.

Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard, founded in May 1984, has more than 550 shops in more than 30 states.

Reporter Diane Smith can be reached at 330-298-1139 or dsmith@recordpub.com.

This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Rita's Italian Ice grand opening Thursday in Streetsboro