Borough Bites - DiCosmo’s Italian Ice

Breaking the Ice: 100 years of history and fl avor at DiCosmo’s Italian Ice

BY TYLER BROWN

In 1915, the culinary roots of DiCosmo’s Italian Ice were officially planted in the city of Elizabeth. Humbly nestled on the corner of a neighborhood intersection, the small-yet-vibrant shop has remained a staple of the community for over a century. Evidenced by the nearby street sign that reads “DiCosmo Place & 104 Years,” the shop has amassed a loyal following and established a reputation for its world-class flavors and freshness.

Now, four generations and 107 years later, the well-known establishment has broken ground at a new location in Metuchen. Located at 25 New St., the recently established storefront is reminiscent of its predecessor in its approach to customer service and quality. With a family-friendly atmosphere and a renowned menu, DiCosmo’s is seeking to establish itself as the borough’s “go-to” spot for Italian Ice.

Eileen and Mike O’Conner, the owners of DiCosmo’s and residents of Metuchen, opened their second location in 2021. After careful consideration, the decision to open was attributed to timing and opportunity.

However, with a family to raise, Eileen explained that her children took precedent over the possibility of starting a new business venture. Yet, that didn’t stop her from contemplating store layouts and researching retail designs. For a decade, she kept those creative business ideas on file as a “What if?”

Furthermore, after years spent in corporate sales and education, she discovered that her true passion was her family’s business. Plus, her affinity for the food industry and degree in food marketing further solidified her decision to pursue her passion and establish a new DiCosmo’s.

The community-oriented legacy that her parents cultivated at DiCosmo’s left a vivid impression on Eileen. When assisting at her parent’s original shop, she referred to the overjoyed comments made by satisfied customers as the “spark” she needed.

“I noted how happy their customers were to enjoy the amazing Italian Ice and that they would comment that ‘no one makes it like DiCosmo’s.’ It was then that the spark was lit, and I knew that our product is something really special and truly unique,” she said. please see BITES, page 13 08840

According to Eileen, that uniqueness is derived from the history and intentionality behind their products. For DiCosmo’s, a tasteful cup of hand-crafted Italian Ice is a process that requires real ingredients and attention to detail.

“DiCosmo’s Italian Ice proudly offers small batch artisan Italian Ice made fresh daily with real ingredients using time-honored recipes. Our Italian Ice is incomparable in taste and texture due to our commitment to tradition and quality.

“We use real fruit and cane sugar, no trendy flavors or neon colors and make only five gallons at a time. We store our ices in a custom-made traditional Italian Gelato dipping cabinet, which keeps the ice at peak temperature and freshness,” she said.

As summer begins, an initiative known as Restaurant Week will start in Metuchen. The event will feature a host of restaurants offering specials and promotions for all customers. With various restaurants scheduled to participate at different dates throughout the summer, Metuchen will be buzzing with

BITES continued from page 12 activity. Isaac D. Kremer, the executive director of Metuchen’s Downtown Alliance, stated that Restaurant Week launched in 2017. Since then, an estimated 20 restaurants have settled in the downtown area. Besides increased awareness and publicity for participating restaurants, Kremer says the initiative has resulted in increased sales and new customers. “The purpose is to get the public into restaurants during a less busy time of year. The March 2022 restaurant week resulted in over $250,000 of sales for the 17 businesses participating. “We saw a sizable number of new customers to the downtown and first-time visitors to many restaurants. People traveled from

activity. the executive direc-

please see BITES, page 19

PHOTOS BY JAMIE GIAMBRONE DiCosmo’s is seeking to establish itself as Metuchen’s “go-to” spot for Italian Ice.

“We don’t have a gallery cost since the school is paying for rent,” Khashoggi said. “We make our money from teaching math and English so this is really a place to benefit the kids. The artists without incurring any costs.” For those students who want experience in owning a gallery one day, they can; for those who want experience as a journalist of art, they can; and for those who have culinary interest, they can serve the food at gallery openings, Astuni said.

“The Bowery Art Collective offers intern programs for every aspect of an art gallery,” she said, adding opportunities are boundless. “We are here to help students and as educators, we are kind of always bent that way.”

The concept of a student-driven art gallery started before the pandemic, which delayed their initial launch of the art collective.

“During that time, we had an online gallery where students submitted and posted artwork online,” Khashoggi said. “However, [the students] wanted a physical space and we were finally able to have our opening reception on March 23.”

The day’s proceedings included a ribboncutting ceremony organized by Downtown Metuchen Alliance Executive Director Isaac Kremer and officiated by Metuchen Mayor Jonathan M. Busch. Among the attending guests were Robert Diken from Friends of Metuchen Arts Council and other members of the local art community.

That evening on March 23, the

ART continued from page 4 Collective hosted a reception for the exhibition, which was open to the public.

The inaugural show with the theme “Hope” included 40 pieces of art-

bers of the local

on March 23, the Collective hosted a reception for the exhibition, which was open to the public.

please see ART, page 15

JAZZ continued from page 11 do things. “So between being an arts-friendly community and what we set up here at the high school and what they’re discovering on their own, we don’t have to force the issue. It’s like, ‘I can’t wait for jazz to start.’ ” According to Messenger, the students take part in four or five competitive festivals a year and the level of competition is high.

“There are just so many great, well-established jazz programs here,” he said.

“These programs go back at least a full generation,” Flynn added. “We had to just get past that because it was a huge leap to go to a competitive level. You want to make sure you’re putting the students in a situation where they’re going to find growth, where they’re going to feel good about themselves, not out-of-their league and over their heads.

“It’s kind of like leap of faith and then when you go do that and they get to go out and see what other kids their age are doing, what other schools are able to accomplish, it just takes it to the next level.”

Flynn noted the music program has strong support from administrators.

“It shouldn’t be left unsaid, we do have a lot of support,” he said. “You know, COVID, we know that we had colleagues who work in other places who were kept from doing things because it was a scary time. Our supervisor, Ashley Jaye, just did not take ‘no’ for an answer. She found us solutions and took our solutions and allowed us to rehearse outside.

“We lost a lot of the performance opportunities, but we didn’t lose the opportunity to learn.”

“Between our administration and the parents, we really do have a strong community for music here and not just the jazz program.” Messenger added.

“We have a K-12 music community that involves a wonderful string program and wonderful choral program. And I think it’s allowing everyone to be a part of it no mat-

PHOTOS COURTESY OF JOHN MESSENGER

ter where they’re at in their musical journey, there’s no exclusions.”

According to Flynn, the young musicians also benefit from the support of the Metuchen Arts Council.

“I think in part, that is what we owe our successes to right now,” he said. “We have the arts council here in the borough that is getting us out and putting us on the Plaza to play. Instead of meeting once a week and rehearsing and playing to their parents twice a year, we’re having all these opportunities. We’ve kind of stepped into those opportunities here in town with the arts council.

“The town of Metuchen is a special place and we could have both taught in many different places, but we ended up here and it’s been an incredible journey that is in a constant state of evolving. Every September, it’s like opening up a new chapter.”

Flynn said he’s already starting a program for Metuchen Jazz Fest on Sept. 10.

“Lynne Mueller (Friends of Metuchen Arts) is just the best, she’s connected with jazz musician Terrell Stafford, he came and did Metuchen Jazz Fest and worked with the band and then at our concert he played a solo. He did a chorus with my kids.”

“It’s her and then Grace Shackney and Judy Lee (Metuchen Arts Council). They’re all so supportive, so you have the support of the administration and your principal and your superintendent and then, outside you have a whole community supporting the program.

“So that’s what makes it special. I don’t think you see that in a lot of towns in New Jersey.

“I think what we’ve got going for us in this town is that we have this community support directly in this one thing that is jazz, that is the true American art form.

“We got connected with [Mueller] five years ago and then the first jazz festival happened. It just has snowballed from there. The growth of that side of things has been in conjunction and side-by-side with what we’re doing in jazz.

“It’s not that what we have is unique as far as what goes on inside the program, it’s the opportunities we have to step out,” he said. ■ 08840

work from 30 students, who are either in college or high school. Four pieces of artwork sold during the show. Metuchen High School art instructor Kelly Murphy promoted the venue among her students, several of whom submitted artworks for the inaugural show. On June 4, MHS held its end-of-the-year art show at the Collective.

“We are very fortunate to have collaborated with Khalid and the Bowery Art Collective on the Advanced Student Art Show that featured artworks created by our students in the National Art Honor Society and advanced-level art classes in their beautiful new gallery space,” she said. “It is just as important for students to learn how to work as a professional artist as it is to create art.”

Students played an active role in presenting, framing, curating and hanging their artwork for the exhibition. Students also selected artworks to edition and sell at the gallery. In addition to gaining this valuable real-world experience, students were able to share their meaningful works of art beyond the high school and with the greater Metuchen community.

“We are so excited to have found an organization like the Bowery Art Collective that shares our vision and are grateful to their support of our emerging artists.”

Jasmine Chen, 19, is a rising junior in college. She submitted one piece of artwork, but was able to showcase three of her art pieces – “I, Alone,” “Jaden” and “Loving; Talking,” a sculptural piece – during the inaugural art show.

“I was looking for art galleries to submit my artworks to because I wanted to start showcasing and selling my artworks,” she said. “Bowery Art Collective was one of the first results that popped up. I saw some artworks on the website that were from other LaGuardia students, I graduated from LaGuardia High School [in New York], so I thought I’d submit.”

Chen said the reception was “very fun” getting to meet other artists and people who enjoy engaging in the field of visual arts.

“Especially reconnecting with those from the same high school. Getting to meet others and hear about their inspirations, their passions, their aspirations and their histories is very enjoyable for me,” she said. “It creates a community, although small, scattered and vaguely connected, that makes me proud and excited to be an artist in New York City. The people and places they’re from become less anonymous and more welcoming when I have some insight into the lives that live there,” she said.

Michelle Shum, 19, is a freshman at Stony Brook University in New York.

“I heard about Bowery Art Collective through a friend of mine,” she said. “She heard news about Khalid’s interest in open-

ART continued from page 14 ing a platform for young student-artists who have a passion for creativity. After hearing this, I wanted to contribute my knowledge as a student and young artist to build this community. I had been inspired by the entrepreneurial spirit of the Bowery Art Collective, which brings me to my current relationship with the collective.” Shum submitted two of her art pieces – “When the Clouds Clear” (acrylic on canvas) and “A Walk on Water” (oil on panel). “It was fulfilling for me to see so many art enthusiasts of all ages and backgrounds,” she said. “This community brought so much warmth and excitement to the table, it deepened my relationship with the Bowery Art Collective and art making altogether. I had never taken part in any experience like this and conversing with strangers who analyzed my art was confounding.” The Bowery Art Collective plans to host additional themed art shows every three months. Submissions are open to all young student-artists. For more information about the Bowery Art Collective at 335 Main St., visit www. boweryartcollective.com. ■

PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY KELLY MURPHY Metuchen High School students showcase their artwork at Bowery Art Collective at school’s end-of-year show on June 4.