Premium Italian Water Ice Store Coming To Newtown In 2023

NEWTOWN BOROUGH, PA — The owners of the Yardley Ice House will be bringing its premium water ice to historic State Street in Newtown Borough next spring.

Jackie and Todd McGonigal have announced plans for a second location - the Newtown Ice House - slated to open in 2023 at the site of Mom Mom’s Take and Bake at 156 North State Street.

“A gourmet water ice shop is lacking here. So we’re going to bring our premium ice to Newtown and share it with the community,” said Jackie. “We also live in Newtown. And we love Newtown. Plus a lot of our patrons travel from Newtown to our Yardley store so it made sense to open here."

Newtownians who have never been to the Yardley Ice House are in for a treat, especially during those hot, muggy dog days of summer.

The family owned and operated ice house uses only top shelf, premium ingredients to make its Italian water ice setting it apart from its competitors, said Jackie.

“We use fresh fruit, fresh ingredients. And one bucket never lasts more than two days. It’s always very, very fresh,” she said.

Like the Yardley Ice House, the Newtown Ice House will feature 137 unique flavors, including popular offerings like orange creamsicle, cherry Bordeaux, chocolate chocolate chip, banana cream pie, cookies and cream, Key Lime Pie, peanut butter cup, mint chocolate chip and
others.

This past year they added six new favors including birthday cake, wildberry Sangria, apple pie, Blue Hawaii and Ecto-Cooler, inspired by Ghostbusters.

In addition to its wildly popular gourmet Italian water ice, the Newtown Ice House will offer old-fashioned soft-serve custard and fat-free ice cream, gelatis, sundaes, shakes, malts, floats and blend-ins.

Because the ice maker is so big, Jackie said ice making operations will be located in Yardley with the ice being transported to Newtown where the ingredients will be added.

“We are really just duplicating the shop to be in Newtown,” said Jackie.

John and Susan Bissert opened the Yardley Ice House 28 years ago building it into a hugely successful seasonal business over the past three decades.

Under their ownership and Susan's flawless success with flavorings, Yardley Ice House won Best of Philly in 2003, 2012, 2013 and in 2016 when it graced the cover of Philadelphia Magazine as the best water ice in the Delaware Valley.

The Bisserts retired at the beginning of this year passing the reigns of the business over to their niece, Jackie, and her husband, Todd, who continue to improve and expand the business with new flavors.

During their first year of operation, they introduced six new flavors; donated more than $13,000 to local schools and charities including Neighbor in Need, Alex's Lemonade Stand and Fuel the Force;
participated in Newtown and Yardley street fairs; sponsored dessert at a Fuel The Force Gala; and hosted numerous fundraisers for schools, clubs and local scout troops.

"Most important of all, we served all of you your favorite delicious treats all spring and summer," wrote Jackie on the Yardley Ice House Facebook page. "Thank you so much for your support. It means everything to us."

The next project for Jackie and Todd will be to prepare their newest location for a spring opening.

Between January 1 when they officially take over the Newtown property and the spring, they will be transforming the space with the installation of equipment and by making some cosmetic improvements.

“Things are going very smoothly with all of our approvals so I’m optimistic it will continue, but I’m not going to put an opening date out there just yet,” said Jackie.

A lot will depend upon the board of health and when it schedules its inspection and issues a license to operate.

“We can’t wait to serve the Newtown community and see everyone when we open next spring,” said Jackie.

When the store does open, hours will be from noon to 10 p.m. daily. The store will be seasonal, closing sometime in mid to late fall.

One big change from Yardley’s is that the Newtown location will be accepting credit cards. Yardley has been a cash only operation. Also, because they will be located next to the Blue Pooch Grooming business they will be offering doggie ice cream sandwiches.