There’s no need to chase the jingle; Mister Softee is now stationary.
The iconic ice cream man has parked on Long Island, establishing its first brick-and-mortar location earlier this month – a move that was meant to be, according to the franchise owner.
“People enjoy Mister Softee. And when the truck is going too fast, they can’t catch up, so the store is a great idea,” Jimmy Ilya told The Post.
Ilya, 54, drove a Mister Softee truck in the Hamptons every summer since 2010 and has always wanted to churn the game.
“I had always planned to open a store, but this one was only open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. We had no income during the winter, so it was extremely difficult. But I tried to save money, save money, and it eventually happened,” Ilya said, adding that he purchased the store in November 2024.
Since its March 1 opening at 195 Carleton Ave. in East Islip, the former location of Pat’s Ice Cream Shoppe for 40 years, cone-crazed customers have lined up around the block for a taste of Mister Softee classics.
In addition to its famous soft serve, creamy milkshakes, and sundaes, the store serves 40 hard ice cream flavors ranging from M&M to Italian caramel to RedBull.
“We are very pleased, and business has been excellent. I believe a lot of people have been waiting for this,” Ilya stated.
“My goal is to make others happy. It’s particularly popular among children. When they see ice cream, they laugh and enjoy it. That’s why I enjoy this industry so much,” Ilya said.
