CLEVELAND, Ohio — It all started with a family recipe, shared to bring a smile during a very difficult time. This is the origin story of Mount Granita, a vibrant street-cart offering Sicilian-style Italian Ice, which debuted in the summer of 2020. Known for its bubble machine and fresh flavors, the little cart became a big success in Little Italy.
After two years of planning and renovations, Mount Granita is opening its permanent location near the intersection of Mayfield and Murray Hill Road.
"My family immigrated to Little Italy from Sicily when they came to America, so having a business down here is almost like a right of passage," co-owner Chris Giancola said. "Many of my relatives had, and still currently have, businesses in the neighborhood, so I’m grateful to join on that tradition."
At the new location, guests are greeted by bubbles in the air, as a nod to humble beginnings, according Giancola. "We started doing the bubbles because we didn't have a sign or a store or anything. It was just kind of something to fill the air and grab people's attention," he said.
That attention, was meant to be a diversion. It was still early in the pandemic; a time filled with fear, uncertainty and long walks outdoors.
"We wanted to try to do something to alleviate that a little bit as much as we could. Something fun, something light, something that everybody could enjoy outside," Giancola said.
So Giancola served up small batches of "granita" -- a non-dairy, vegan frozen dessert. Granita originated in Sicily, where his family is from. A combination of fruit, water and sugar that he watched "Nonna," his great-grandmother, make.
"Growing up, she would take the leftover espresso and mix it with some secret ingredients, put it in the freezer and scrape it with a fork every few hours. And that was always what I knew as granita," Giancola said.
Nonna brought her family from Sicily to Little Italy. Giancola's relatives have had several businesses in Little Italy, and are a fixture in the Murray Hill Community.
"I think she would be really proud to see all this," Giancola said of Mount Granita's new storefront in the neighborhood that is home to the family.
"I wouldn't want to be in any other neighborhood. We’ll stop in any restaurant or shop or café and people are always willing to give tips. People are always lending a hand of support. I really couldn't ask for better neighbors and our business community to start a business in," Giancola said of the welcome he and his business partner have received.
Mount Granita has 11 different flavors. The few ingredients used are of the highest quality, Giancola says.
"It's all made with fresh fruit, organic cane sugar and water. So it's vegan, it's gluten-free, it's dairy free."
Now the fruits of his labor are open to the public, just a few steps from where their cart once sat. Giancola insisted on one feature for the store: A walk-up window to serve those out on a stroll. And bubbles -- of course -- to lead the way.
"We never really thought that we would be here coming from just a small sidewalk cart. But we're here," Giancola said.
"We're so proud our new space, which we renovated back into retail use after sitting as an apartment for over 50 years. The space used to be home to countless businesses in the early 1900s, and it was always a dream of mine to bring it back to life. We really made an effort to keep a historic looking storefront, built with traditional methods like sandstone bulkheads, wood windows, and a varnished wood door."
You can visit Mount Granita at 2024 Murray Hill Road in Little Italy. The Italian ice shop is open Monday through Thursday from 5 to 10 pm, Friday from 5 on to 10:30 pm, Saturday from 1 to 10:30 pm, and Sunday from 1 to 10 pm.