By: Joselin Estevez

For more than four decades, Gelotti Ice Cream has stood as one of Paterson, New Jersey’s most enduring family-owned businesses—an operation that has grown from a neighborhood institution into a regional brand with customers and wholesale partners throughout the Northeast.

Founded in 1984 by Italian immigrant Salvatore “Sal” Sigona, Gelotti was owned and operated by its founder for more than 30 years. In 2018, Sal passed the business to the next generation, ensuring that Gelotti would remain firmly in family hands as it entered a new chapter. Since its founding, the business has never changed ownership, remaining solely under the stewardship of the Sigona family.

Today, Gelotti is led by brothers Robert and Joseph Sigona, who continue their father’s standards and values while positioning the business for long-term sustainability.

While the flagship location on Union Avenue in Paterson remains central to Gelotti’s identity, the brand’s reach extends well beyond city limits. Customers regularly travel from New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut, drawn by a reputation built steadily over 41 years.

“Being in business for over 41 years doesn’t happen by accident,” says Robert Sigona. “It comes from staying consistent, respecting the craft, and understanding that when people walk through our doors, they’re trusting us with a tradition.”

A Business Built on Craft and Consistency

Gelotti’s longevity in a competitive and ever-changing dessert market reflects a disciplined, deliberate approach to business. While consumer preferences have evolved, the company has remained focused on producing high-quality ice cream, gelato, Italian ice, sorbet, and vegan offerings using proven methods and carefully sourced ingredients.

Seasonal flavors and modern dietary options have been introduced thoughtfully, but the core product lineup has remained intentionally consistent. This balance has helped Gelotti maintain generational loyalty, with longtime customers now introducing the brand to their own families.

Wholesale Growth Without Compromise

Beyond its retail presence, Gelotti has developed a thriving wholesale operation that has become an important part of the company’s overall business strategy.

The wholesale division supplies ice cream, gelato, Italian ice, and specialty frozen desserts to restaurants, catering companies, event venues, and foodservice partners throughout New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut. This growth has allowed Gelotti to expand responsibly while maintaining control over quality and brand standards.

“Wholesale has been a natural extension of what we’ve always done,” Robert Sigona explains. “It allows us to grow the business while holding ourselves to the same standards our retail customers expect. Consistency is everything in this business.”

Rooted in Paterson, Recognized Regionally

Despite its expanding footprint, Gelotti has remained firmly rooted in Paterson—a city with a long tradition of entrepreneurship and family-owned businesses. Remaining on Union Avenue has reinforced the company’s connection to the community while positioning it within reach of major metropolitan markets.

That foundation has allowed Gelotti to grow organically through reputation and word of mouth rather than aggressive expansion, resulting in a brand that feels both authentic and dependable.

Looking Ahead

As the frozen dessert industry continues to evolve, the Sigona family remains focused on measured growth, operational discipline, and preserving the standards that have defined Gelotti since 1984.

“My father built this business on pride and hard work,” Robert says. “Our responsibility now is to protect that foundation and make sure Gelotti continues to earn the trust it’s built over generations.”

In an industry where longevity is increasingly rare, Gelotti stands as a case study in how family ownership, thoughtful succession, and disciplined growth can turn a local institution into a lasting regional business. The Sigona family’s commitment to maintaining high standards while embracing strategic expansion has allowed the brand to remain relevant across generations. As Gelotti continues to grow, it stays true to its roots, ensuring that each new chapter is built on the same values that made it a beloved community staple.