Mister Softee, the beloved ice cream brand, has opened its first-ever brick-and-mortar store on Long Island. Situated at 195 Carleton Ave in East Islip, the new store occupies the former premises of Pat's Ice Cream Shoppe. For over a decade, Mister Softee has been a summer staple in the Hamptons, with franchise owner Ilya driving the popular truck since 2010. The new location marks the realization of Ilya's longstanding dream to establish a permanent store.
The opening has been met with enthusiasm, as customers have been lining up around the block to enjoy Mister Softee classics and a variety of new offerings. The shop boasts 40 flavors of hard ice creams, including unique options such as M&M, Italian caramel, and RedBull. This expansion allows fans to indulge in their favorite treats year-round, beyond the traditional Memorial Day to Labor Day season.
Ilya purchased the store in November 2024 after years of saving diligently to make his dream a reality. The fixed location provides a solution for those who often missed the truck when it drove by too quickly.
"People love Mister Softee. And sometimes when the truck is driving too fast, they can’t catch them, so the store is a really good idea," said Jimmy Ilya.
The opening of the brick-and-mortar shop underscores Ilya's passion for the ice cream business and his commitment to spreading joy through Mister Softee's offerings.
"My goal is to make people happy. People love it – the kids especially. …When they see ice cream, they start laughing and they just love it. That’s why I love this business so much," Ilya shared.
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