Fusco’s Italian Water Ice squeezes into Lewes Beach

Freshly squeezed lemons, real cane sugar, and water.  

If you’ve ever been to 610 N. Union St. in Wilmington over the past eight decades and bought a product from the vendor, that is exactly what you purchased. 

Fusco's Italian Water Ice has been a beloved summer tradition in Wilmington since 1957. In addition to the Blue Rocks’ Frawley Stadium, Fusco’s will have a location on Lewes Beach this summer, as the family-owned and -operated business will have a food truck at  203 E. Savannah Road on weekends and holidays.

“We’re known for one flavor, all-natural,” said owner Joseph Staffieri. “No artificial snow, no artificial high-fructose corn syrup, no preservatives, no stabilizers.”

The fourth-generation owner takes great pride in how authentic his Italian ice is. Made the same way since 1957, the product was born from an Italian tradition based on using simple, fresh ingredients purchased on a budget and crafted with a focus on delivering a consistent, delicious product. It’s made similar to ice cream, but with fewer ingredients. Staffieri began working in the family business at a very young age. He says his family prides itself on being authentic.

“My great-grandfather started this back in the ’50s,” Staffieri said. “My grandfather and great-uncles worked the family business along with my aunts, uncles and mom. Everybody pitched in.”

The Staffieri family has been vacationing in Lewes for many years, which inspired Joseph to expand his business. Maintaining consistency and quality is a top priority for Staffieri.

“It’s the hard work that goes behind it to give you a genuine, real, authentic product,” Staffieri said. “That’s been lost when people take shortcuts.”

He notes there are ways to save time in production, but that comes at the cost of quality, and he isn’t willing to do anything to compromise the excellence of his family’s product. He said pride comes from the quality.

“Being 100% Italian, all my family comes from Italy, this is what we do,” Staffieri said. “When we say Italian ice, we’re giving you authentic Italian ice.”

When ordering at Fusco’s, one needs to only decide on the size, and there’s only one product that pours into the cups. No need to worry about a spoon or straw, just #shakeandsqueeze. Staffieri said there were no spoons or straws handed out in 1957, and that’s a tradition that has continued. 

“You don’t need it because it will melt in the sun. Our hashtag is shake and squeeze, and it's also one of our slogans,” Staffieri said.

Fusco’s Italian Water Ice will have soft openings from noon to 6 p.m.,  Friday, May 19, and Saturday, May 20. The full opening kicks off Memorial Day weekend, Friday, May 26. Summer hours may vary based on customer demand, but look for them to open around 11 a.m. and stay open until at least 8 p.m., Friday through Sunday and on holidays.

For more information, find Fusco’s on Instagram and Facebook, or go to fuscoswaterice.com. 

Italian Ice Shandy

Fusco’s teamed up with Big Oyster Brewing for an Italian Ice Shandy. The lemon water iced shandy is brewed with gallons of Fusco’s Italian Water Ice and rocks a 4.5 ABV.

“It’s made with authentic Italian water ice, that was the primary thing,” Staffieri said. “I wanted to make sure that it’s going to be done this way because we don’t put artificial stuff in our products that our brand is on.”

Staffieri said the finished product is excellent, and he has had people asking him about availability since the can release April 29 at Big Oyster. 

The beer collaboration will be available throughout summer at beer stores in the Cape Region and at Fins restaurants.