Bridgewater Family Continues Legacy Of Beloved Ice Cream Shop

RARITAN, NJ — Nick Tozzi grew up savoring the ice cream at "As You Like It" in Raritan. So when he heard Owners Tom and Malinda Russo were retiring after 39 years he decided it was time to take over the long-time business.

"I was there when I was a kid. I brought my kids there when they were real small," said Tozzi to Patch. "I knew they were retiring, so then we approached them about buying it. I would hate to see it close."

Tozzi, who now lives in Bridgewater with his wife Jessica and three children Alexa, Nicky, and Christian, works construction full time. He felt this new business venture would also be beneficial for his family in the long term.

"I was just looking for a change of pace, really. I do construction full time, I have a business, so it was a little bit easier doing this, I think, than construction," said Tozzi. "I can't do construction forever."

The Tozzi's officially took over on Oct. 1 and they are going to keep the nostalgia everyone has come to love with the ice cream shop. However, they are also making one big change. They will be open year-round.

"We're going to have more seasonal flavors as the year progresses," said Tozzi.

Ice cream flavors such as blueberry pie, apple pie, and pumpkin are being offered in the fall. Closer to Christmas, they will offer peppermint and a hot cocoa flavor.

"It's like your old-school ice cream store. I guess you could say. We have hard ice cream, soft ice cream, yogurt, ice cream cakes, ice cream sandwiches," said Tozzi.

The shop will run as a truly family business with everyone pitching in. Jessica is helping with decorating cakes, his uncle Jeffrey is helping to open up the shop, and even his kids can be seen in the shop helping.

For more information visit icecreamshop.com or facebook.com/AsYouLikeItIceCreamShop.

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