STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Welcome back for a weekly dose of The Dish, broadcast weekly from the Staten Island Advance/SILIVE.com’s Facebook page. The show dishes on the borough’s dynamic food industry and takes a behind-the-scenes look at some of the unique businesses in our community.
Looking for a special birthday place or unique spot to bring the little ones in these COVID-19 times? On this episode of The Dish, Egger’s is that “chill” destination at Historic Richmond Town with see-through igloos, available by reservation for December.
Egger's owner Danielle Raleigh brings igloos to Staten Island. (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)
“It will look pretty amazing in the snow,” said owner Danielle Raleigh. At night the igloos light up. Music is available in each shelter.
While the ice cream parlor is closed for November at the Clarke Avenue outpost, it will reopen starting Dec. 4 for walk-up service. Igloos around its unique building — a former set to Boardwalk Empire at 441 Clarke Ave., Richmond — are available by reservation only on the Egger’s website, Eggersicecream.com.
There are six igloos ready for December. Each accommodates two to eight guests. There is a $30 reservation fee that includes a 45 to 50 minutes experience at a minimum of $10 worth of food and beverage ordered per person. Menu options include make-your-own-cocoa station or holiday coffee plus a make-your-own sundae. Adults can have a sundae of choice or a holiday confection box. Each child leaves with a goody bag.
Other upgrades include balloons, hand-dipped candies and fresh fruit and bottles of champagne (Egger’s has a weekend permit). Guests are welcome to bring their own blankets and pillows. The igloos are sanitized thoroughly between reservations which means there’s a 10 to 15 minute break between appointments.
Egger’s Homemade Ice Cream Parlor opened in 1932 on Castleton Avenue and Broadway next to what was the Capital movie theater. The original Egger’s was owned by Mr. Richie Egger. Raleigh is its third owner. She took over the operation in 2014.
Take a tour of the igloo as four boys give the experience a test drive.
Four boys test drive the new Egger's igloo. At the end, they have a snowball fight, courtesy of Egger's. (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)
The seasonal flavors for December are egg nog, cinnamon, gingerbread and rainbow cookie, with cookies from Mark’s Bake Shoppe in Richmond.
Pamela Silvestri is Advance Food Editor. She can be reached at silvestri@siadvance.com.
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