Grand Junction’s Gelü Italian Ice Celebrates First Anniversary
Gelü Italian Ice is proud to announce its first birthday. Aug. 1, 2014, will mark the official one-year anniversary for Gelü. The idea for Gelü came in early 2013 from co-founder John Nelson, who comes from New York where Italian Ices, sometimes called water ices, are a popular daily summer treat. Nelson, together with co-founders Ronn and Karin Gookin spent many months purchasing the necessary equipment and perfecting recipes. Carts were purchased and customized to meet all local health department regulations, and the first license was issued Aug. 1, 2013. Gelü is based out of the Business Incubator Center and was recently recognized as one of the Incubator’s success stories.
Gelü’s initial goal was to expose western Colorado to the deliciousness of Italian Ice and this was done by handing out as many free samples as possible. Customers often ask the Gelü staff if it is gelato or a snow cone. “It’s better than a snow cone” is what owner Ronn Gookin will say. Or, “it’s the best brain freeze you’ll ever have!”…