By Phil Forte
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SMITHTOWN – Are you feeling the heat of the summer sun beat down on you as you stroll through Main Street in Smithtown, or are you just looking for some cool refreshment on a hot summer day? If one or both scenarios apply to you, stop in to Uncle Louie G’s Italian Ices and Ice Cream located at 10A E. Main Street in Smithtown and try out one of their 60 variations of flavored ices and ice creams.
“My favorite flavor is the peanut butter cookie dough,” said Joe Zara, who was visiting the popular ice cream parlor with his two buddies - Danny Caroussos and Anthony Kehner, all of whom are 13 year old students at Accompsett Middle School. “I love this place. It just tastes so good.”
Uncle Louie G’s in Smithtown, which opened its doors for the first time last July, is part of a franchised business with locations all over the East Coast. Most locations are in Brooklyn and Manhattan with their warehouse located in Staten Island. After production the product is shipped directly to Uncle Louis G’s Smithtown location to serve the patrons of the Smithtown community.
“The mission here is to serve the community,” said Gio Chiarelli, owner of the gourmet Smithtown ice cream parlor. “I like to feel that the service sets us apart from most other businesses. We’re a family run business and we feel that we have a personable look on things here.”
Chiarelli, a 25-year veteran of the Smithtown Fire Department, works alongside his two sons, Nick, 19, and Christopher, 17, at Uncle Louie’s. He insists that what sets his parlor apart from the rest is not only the quality of the ices and ice creams, but the family-like feel when you walk inside for an ice.
Moments before admitting that the parlor’s family friendly appeal is what draws crowds into the store, his son Nick served a mother who brought in two boys for their favorite bubblegum and cotton candy Italian ices.
“Did you guys just get a haircut?” Nick Chiarelli asked.
“Yes they did,” the boys’ mother answered.
“You guys are looking good,” the always-personable Nick added.
Uncle Louie G’s, which offers variations of flavors from the basic Vanilla to Lick Me Lemon to Wassup Watermelon to Rocky Road Rage, offers not only quality in-store service, but they also offer a catering service. Their workers, typically Gio and his two sons, cater house parties and other events. That way hosts do not have to worry about finding someone to serve dessert. Instead, the Chiarelli’s take care of desert for the entire party.
The popular ice cream parlor also holds promotions to keep their customers coming back for more. Currently the parlor is holding a punch card promotion, where for every 10 medium ice creams bought, the customer receives one free. All a customer has to do is purchase an ice and hand the worker their punch card to ensure them one buy closer to a freebie. The shop also holds a wristband promotion - for $1 the customer receives a blue wristband that allows the wearer to receive .99 cent ices on Tuesdays. Seniors receive discounts on both Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Lastly, Uncle Louie G’s offers a text messaging service where all a customer has to do is text message ‘UncleLouieG’ to 41242 to receive special weekly promotions.
“Come to us for personable service and a great product,” the elder Chiarelli said. “Don’t take my words for it, come in and try it out for yourself.”