Rita’s, famous on the East Coast for its Italian ice and frozen custard, opened in the Redondo Shores Shopping Center on May 17th.
The Redondo Beach location of the Philadelphia-based dessert chain is the second store to open on the West Coast, according to co-owner Joshua Pascua, who opened the Redondo location with his friend from Junior High, Jake Cosme.
Cosme first discovered Rita’s while attending the Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. and later introduced Pascua to the world of the delicious frozen desert treats. The pair decided to go into business together after their service in the Marine Corps.
In addition to selling its flavored ice and custard, as well as combinations of the two, Rita’s sells hand-twisted soft pretzels from Los Angeles-based Prospect Pretzels.
Rita’s is located at 403 N. Pacific Coast Hwy. in South Redondo Beach from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.