Carmen’s Italian Ice officially opened in Olney April 30. It’s located on Spartan Road, in the same location as the old Rita’s Italian Ice and Frozen Custard, which closed permanently in the winter. Carmen’s has been open in Rockville for 19 years. Its owner, Jason Mandler, who hales from New Jersey, describes the establishment’s frozen treat as “desert with a jersey attitude.”

Mandler said business in the Rockville location has been “down significantly compared to last year” because of the coronavirus closures. During the spring, Carmen’s usually is booked for events like parties and graduations, but that obviously hasn’t been able to happen this year so far.