For those longing for an authentic taste of New York City, there’s good news – Mama Mia Italian Ice offers 50 flavors of Italian ice, featuring 24 at a time, New York bagels, pizza kits and so much more straight from New York!
Owners Nat and Kathy Oliveri left New York and their retail and operations management careers behind 12 years ago. They came to Clemmons for a more family friendly environment to raise their five children and were not disappointed.
Seeing the need in the area for New York-style fare like that found at “Lemon Ice King of Corona,” back home, owned by Nat’s cousin and famously featured in the opening credits of the popular television show, “King of Queens.” Nat and Kathy had the brilliant idea to bring a taste of New York to Forsyth County and formed Mama Mia NY Italian Ice in Clemmons. Nat makes frequent trips to New York for all of the handmade fresh Italian ice, handmade flash-frozen baked goods and other items.
The shop with several tables and a counter seating option is bright with lots of green, white and red – the colors of the Italian flag – and full of New York memorabilia. It’s a wonderful place to bring the family for Italian ice and take-home bagels and breads for later.
When asked their most popular Italian ice flavors, Kathy said, “Lemon is first. Everything else is second!” Besides the classic favorites – lemon, cherry, rainbow, chocolate – seasonal favorites pina colada, strawberry and cantaloupe are back for the summer. “These are also great to take home by the quart or pint and use to create adult beverages!” she noted. All of their Italian ice is made with natural fruit and is fat-free, gluten-free and dairy-free. They offer a couple of sugar-free flavors as well.
The menu has expanded to include New York favorites such as pizza kits, bagels, Italian loaf bread, Kaiser rolls, marinara, vodka pasta sauce, potato knishes, black and white cookies, and, now, hot pretzels – salted or with cinnamon sugar.
The Oliveris are warm and friendly and have a huge heart for the community. They donate all tips to the Clemmons Food Pantry, generating more than $3,000 in donations to date. They also support local school fundraisers, the Clemmons Fire Department and local swim team, to name a few.
Mama Mia NY Italian Ice recently moved their operations from Clemmons Road to a much larger space in a shopping center on Lewisville-Clemmons Road beside Starbucks with neighbors Clemmons Bicycle and English’s Bridal. “It has always been our goal to be located on Lewisville-Clemmons Road,” said Nat. The new location has attracted many new customers and boasts more seating, more parking, easier access and higher visibility. “It has been great for us.”
Mama Mia Italian Ice mobile cart is a huge hit at the Saturday Clemmons Farmers Market and is available for parties, weddings, corporate and school events!
Mama Mia NY Italian Ice is now located at 2731 Lewisville-Clemmons Road in Clemmons. Call the shop at 336.331.2945, or email [email protected]. Be sure to follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
