Shoppers and dessert enthusiasts visiting the Indian River Mall will notice a significant vacancy as of this month. Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard has officially closed its Vero Beach location, with its final day of operation taking place on March 1. The closure is directly linked to major structural changes and redevelopment plans currently moving forward at the shopping center.
The departure of the frozen treat franchise is a result of impending demolition work at the mall. According to a statement released on the company’s Facebook page on February 25, the business was forced to close due to the teardown activities starting at the property. These changes align with plans unveiled during a May Indian River County Technical Review Committee meeting, which outlined the demolition of the anchor buildings formerly occupied by Sears and Macy’s.
In a farewell message to the community, the local operators expressed gratitude to their Vero Beach clientele:
“We want to extend our heartfelt thanks for your support and loyalty over the years. We are so grateful for the memories, smiles, and moments we’ve shared!”
There appears to be some administrative ambiguity regarding the permanence of the closure. While the physical operation at the mall has ceased due to construction, the company’s social media status is currently set to “temporarily closed,” and the corporate website lists the Vero Beach location as “closed for the season.” However, no specific timeline or alternate location for a reopening in Indian River County has been provided.
New Location Planned for Port St. Lucie
While the Vero Beach outpost has shuttered, the brand is expanding elsewhere on the Treasure Coast. A new Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard is currently in development in Port St. Lucie. The new shop will be located at The Shoppes at the Heart of Tradition at 10140 S.W. Discovery Way. It is slated to open between The Peach Cobbler Factory and Island Pig & Fish. As of now, the corporate website lists this new location as “coming soon.”
