Johnny Gelato Opens in Kent

Eric Gross John and Meagen Mallegol scoop gelato in their new Johnny Gelato that has opened at the Kent Center Shopping Center. Delicious home-made ice cream is now available in eastern Putnam County seven days a week, thanks to a father and his daughter who have opened Johnny Gelato at the Kent Center Shopping Plaza.

John Mallegol and his daughter, Meagen, a 1995 graduate of Mahopac High School, owned and operated a business in Somers for six years that served breakfast, lunch, and gelato before deciding to sell the shop and concentrate solely on ice cream.

After scouring the countryside for a year, John and Meagen found a store in Kent. “We decided on the location because Kent is a growing community and a safe community,” said the elder Mallegol.

Mallegol, a resident of Carmel, worked for 30 years in the purchasing end of the hospital management business. He initially was employed in New York City and more recently as the Director of Material Management for Health Quest, the corporate owners of Putnam Hospital Center, Northern Dutchess Hospital, and Vassar Brothers Hospital in Poughkeepsie.

Meagen called the relationship with her dad “great. Most young women want to get away from their parents. I love working with my father because he brings many years of business savvy into our new venture and, with my enthusiasm, we have a winner here.”

Every day Meagen makes the gelato, which contains less fat and fewer calories while being much creamier than regular ice cream: “Besides it’s healthier, as well,” she said.

Johnny Gelato offers 24 flavors. In addition to the popular vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry, the shop offers more exotic flavors such as caramel cone explosion, maple walnut, strawberry shortcake, rum raisin, and Italian cheesecake. Gelato crepes are on the menu, as well, along with sundaes, shakes, and floats and, of course, Johnny Gelato’s famous “chipwich” consisting of a chocolate chip cookie with ice cream in the middle rolled in chocolate chips.

Gelato cakes for all occasions are also available, ranging in size from 6-inch to 12-inch.

Mallegol’s business serves both the consumer and the corporate sector. Johnny Gelato products are featured at 19 restaurants from the Bronx to Fishkill.

The shop is open Sunday through Thursday from 11am to 9pm and on Friday and Saturday from 11am to 10pm. Special orders are also available by calling the shop at 225-0076.

The new ice cream store joins another new business in the Kent Center off Route 52 across from the Kent Schools Complex—Kent Cleaners.