We All Scream for New York City’s Oldest Ice Cream Parlor: Eddie’s Sweet Shop

Eddie’s Sweet Shop in Forest Hills, Queens, is likely the longest-running ice cream parlor in New York City! Before becoming Eddie's in the 1960s, there was an ice cream shop at 105-29 Metropolitan Ave called Witt's, which was established around 1925.

Jahn’s Ice Cream Parlor, established in 1897, may have ceded its title as the oldest ice cream parlor in the city when its original location closed in 2007. The last Jahn's location remains, standing at 81-04 37th Ave #1 in Jackson Heights.

Eddie's current owner, Vito Citrano, inherited the shop from his father Giuseppe, who purchased the venue in 1968. When Giuseppe purchased the shop, he presreved its vintage feel. The wooden and marble interior remains from when Eddie’s Sweet Shop first opened. The refrigerator used in the shop is around 80 years old.

The Citrano family still hand-whips the original 10 ice cream flavors—including chocolate and vanilla, of course—using the same recipes that Giuseppe tweaked from the shop’s previous owners. They've also added a few new flavors for a total of 20 choices.

Angelina Citrano, Vito’s wife and the other owner of the sweet shop, met him during their first date at Eddie’s Sweet Shop itself. It seems the raspberry sundae with marshmallow and whipped cream she savored that day sparked a love for ice cream—and her future husband.

Together, the couple now ensures that they serve quality ice cream daily. Vito Citrano hand-whips each of the 18 flavors offered to customers using vintage equipment. Employees make their syrups—including flavors such as vanilla, root beer, and cherry—and whipped cream by hand. Other menu items include banana splits, milkshakes, ice cream sodas, and egg creams. Some even speak of a secret menu; however, one has to work to find it.

So, who is Eddie? He doesn't exist! It's just the name Giuseppe came up with for the store. Vito joked to the New York Times that the false name was chosen so Giuseppe wouldn't be the recipient of customer complaints; he could pass the buck to Eddie.

With such a rich history and tried-and-true ice cream expertise, Eddie’s Sweet Shop now offers class trips. When the students arrive, Eddie’s employees teach them about the sweet shop’s history and the best techniques for making ice cream. Some of the students’ grandparents may have eaten treats at the shop when they were children.

As innovative ice cream shops like Taiyaki NYC take over New York City, old-time ice cream parlors like Eddie’s Sweet Shop are fading into extinction. However, the few that remain allow ice cream enthusiasts to travel back in time to an era when ice cream stores made sundaes from scratch and were the hangout spots for teens.

New York City also has a way of cherishing these time capsules. Other vintage venues in the city include Caffe Reggio and Hungarian Pastry Shop. Both of these cafes have been frequented by influential authors including Jack Kerouac and Ta-Nehisi Coates. However, no one has yet to find an ice cream shop in the city that has stood longer than Eddie’s Sweet Shop.

Next, check out the top 10 secrets of Forest Hills, Queens!