Rinaldi's ended last season in Old Orchard Beach

OLD ORCHARD BEACH — A long-time summer fixture in downtown Old Orchard Beach has announced that it will not be back next season.

Rinaldi’s Homemade Ice Cream announced a few weeks ago on Facebook that it was closing.

“It has been an amazing 21 years. But like all good things, they must come to an end. We want to thank all of our customers throughout the years,” said Rinaldi’s in a Facebook post. “We want to also thank the town of Old Orchard Beach for always making it a great place to come back to every summer.”

Rinaldi’s Homemade Ice Cream was a seasonal take-out gelato stand on Old Orchard Street, on the main drag of downtown. Rinaldi’s was known for its large variety of flavors and toppings.

The owner of Rinaldi’s when asked why the business was closing, responded on Facebook messenger on Saturday by stating, “It was just time. Many reasons behind it. The number one reason -just time to move on.”

Rinaldi’s was popular with both tourists and locals.

“I always looked forward to my summer treat at Rinaldi‘s with a scoop of their kiwi ice cream,” said Jodi  MacPhail, a resident and city councilor in the neighboring city of Saco. “The staff was the best on the OOB strip, always there with a smile and a laugh. It is sad to see a long-standing community business leave and I wish them the best.”

Publisher Liz Gotthelf can be reached at [email protected].