Yes, there really is a Chuck!

The story of Chuck’s dates back to the summer of 1984 when Chuck Cifelli, a painter and paperhanger, decided to open a small Italian Water Ice business in South Philadelphia to augment his income.

The husband and wife owners, Chuck and Arlene Cifelli, made all of the products themselves. They worked from early morning to late at night, perfecting their recipes. Their children Kim, Chuck, and Jamie were also brought in to help work at the family store.

In 2004, Chuck and Arlene reluctantly turned over ownership of the South Philly store due to Chuck’s complications from diabetes. In 2007, Chuck passed away, but his legacy still lives on.

Today, his daughter Jamie and her husband Buddy, with the help of their children Gianna and Nicholas as well as their mom Arlene and their brother Chuck, own and operate Chuck’s Homemade Italian Ice in Christmas, Florida. They continue to make all of the products themselves, in small batches, from family recipes. Together, they operate a retail store and also launched the very first “Chuck’s Truck” for catering, events and fundraisers. 

So, yes! There really is a Chuck! And his love and passion for making people smile through his amazing products lives on and is now available 1000 miles south of Philadelphia, in Central Florida, for all to enjoy.