Gelato & Chill Hoping To Find Sweet Spot In Hingham This Summer

HINGHAM, MA — All signs were pointing toward a big summer for Vincent Turco and his family as they prepared to open a second location of their Gelato & Chill shop — considered a foodie find in the Fenway section of Boston.

The plan was to move into the former Cold Stone Creamery spot in the Derby Street Shops of Hingham, and bring the traditional Italian favorite to the residents and tourists of the town.

Then the coronavirus came along and tossed the Turcos' best-laid plans into turmoil.

"This is the most difficult thing we have ever encountered in business," Vincent Turco told Patch. "As an entrepreneur, you are thrown many curveballs. They are usually temporary and do not involve a complete and utter shutdown of the economy."

Turco said the family had used all the money saved for the business to build the new location. He said, fortunately, he was able to secure some government money to keep things afloat until customers were allowed through the doors.

Yet, while the TimeOut Market location in Boston remains closed due to coronavirus restrictions, the new Hingham location is slowly, but surely, building some roots and gaining regulars.

"We had one local family of three return four times in two weeks," said Turco, who runs the shop with his wife, Sandra, with help from daughters, Alessandra and Annie. "We are pleased to receive positive customer feedback on our Instagram page. Last week, a customer left a comment that they used to live in Italy and (wrote that) our delicious gelato is the best they've ever had in the States."

Still, while the product may be top-notch, the climate amid the virus remains uncertain. Turco said traffic is steady, but "not anywhere near pre-pandemic levels."

"The highest-grossing ice cream shop on the Cape will be happy with 50 percent of last summer's sales," Turco said. "We have revised our projections several times for the summer, and we are at 25 percent of where we should be. July and August are normally our highest-grossing months and while we are not sure how the summer will pan out for us. We are hopeful that we will do as best as we can to make it through the pandemic."

Turco, who delivered pints of gelato in a refrigerated truck to local residents before the Hingham location was able to open, said customers have been understanding when it comes to the social distancing and face mask restrictions inside the shop. He said the Derby Street Shops' Pick-Up Quick curbside option has also helped propel the takeout service.

While he said his family is "in it for the long haul" he is hoping the state and town will do what they can to promote and facilitate businesses like his — such as working to add more patio dining options — amid the restrictions.

"People need to be reassured that it's safe to shop and dine," he said, "and we are hoping for more people to do so as the state eases restrictions, and tourists can come to visit us without having to quarantine prior.

"We would love for the community to be assured that local businesses like ourselves are taking all of the necessary precautions, and we are a safe place to dine."

Patch is looking to tell the stories of local businesses being innovative and battling to make it through during the coronavirus health crisis. If you would like your business profiled, contact Scott Souza at scott.souza@patch.com.