Meet Turlock’s newest place to cool down. Rita’s opens in Monte Vista Crossings

Just in time for the unseasonably warm weather, Rita’s Frozen Ice has opened in Turlock to help cool you down.

The new shop opened Thursday in Turlock’s popular Monte Vista Crossings shopping center. The store is the fourth Rita’s in the region from owner Nick Schutte, who also has locations in Modesto, Ceres and Atwater.

Schutte said he was interested in bringing Rita’s to Turlock because of the city’s growth. He previously owned a Mr. Pickles in town and knew it was a good market. The Rita’s is in the southwest corner of the center, near Buffalo Wild Wings.

The Turlock Rita’s has about a dozen flavors of both Italian ice and frozen custard to choose from each day. For those unfamiliar with the cold treats, frozen custard is an egg-based and creamy while Italian ice is water-based without any dairy.

“What people prefer sometimes depends on the season. In the summer people like the Italian ice because it’s refreshing. And other times the frozen custard,” Schutte said.

The store is the first in California with the company’s new, creamery-style design which includes an assortment of baked goods to purchase including cookies and brownies.

Find the Rita’s Italian Ice at 2745 Countryside Drive, Suite B. It is open 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For more information call 209-633-3008.

This story was originally published February 8, 2018 at 2:39 PM with the headline "Meet Turlock’s newest place to cool down. Rita’s opens in Monte Vista Crossings."