WHAT would a trip to the seaside be without a stroll along the promenade ice cream in hand.
As one of Rhyl’s much-loved ice-cream vendors, Sidoli, on Wellington Road, prepares to celebrate 100 years in business, local historian, devoted customer, and frozen dessert fan Bill Ellis gives us his memories of Rhyl’s ice cream kings.
WHAT would a seaside resort be without an ice-cream parlour vendor?
Rhyl once had a pier, a fairground, a skating rink and two theatres, home to two concert party greats Will Parkin and Billy Manders.
But, hey, we’ve still got Sidoli’s.
The renowned ice-cream parlour celebrates its centenary this year, and contrary to what people may think, I haven’t been going in that long. My mum, dad and grandmother lived right opposite Sidoli’s at number 51 Wellington Road, next to a shop called Hubbard’s.
My mother used to tell me that her grandmother would send her over to Sidoli’s with a jug to get it filled with coffee.
This would be in the 1920’s and it cost 4d (four pence in old money).
The cafe today is run by Dominic, his mother, Ida and sister Maria.
The cafe was opened in 1910 by Dominic’s grandfather Domenico another Italian family the Pini’s who whose Anglicised name was Peeny.
The Peeny family eventually moved to Blackpool where for a time they were owners of The Pleasure Beach.
The premises was chosen because it had a large rear area suitable for making ice-cream.
This ice-cream was sold in the three kiosks they operated on Rhyl promenade and the cafe itself.
In the early years the windows were used to display sweets, chocolates and tobacco.
The cafe sold tea, coffee and cold drinks. It also had a soda fountain.
In 1939 when war broke out Dominic’s grandfather and father were interned on the Isle of Man.
The ice-cream kiosks were lost.
Fortunately, Dominic’s grandfather had three daughters, Esterina, Angiolina, Scolastica, and they ran the cafe during the war years.
The cafe was packed with soldiers drinking coffee.
After the war Dominic’s father took over the running of the cafe.
Ice cream, which was banned during the war years, was reintroduced and people were queing outside- even blocking the doorways of neighbouring properties in order to buy some.
The 1950’s and 1960’s were also boom times.
The cafe was refurbished with a different counter, new tables and chairs and new lighting.
I’m in Sidoli’s every day, it’s my second home.
I’m always in that top corner.
Yes, I shall continue to go in ‘my second home’ and long may you continue to make the best ice-cream I’ve ever tasted.
Thank you Sidoli’s for so many happy memories.