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Growing up, it was common for Francesco Annaloro to enjoy a daily scoop of gelato in the summer—hardly surprising, considering his family has been running a beloved gelato shop for generations.
Annaloro’s family is behind L'Artigiano Gelato. Once a humble cart started by his great-grandfather in 1927, the beloved gelateria continues to operate in the region of Assisi, a province of Perugia, Italy. For Annaloro, who grew up around the shop, joining the family business was less a question than a given.
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“Growing up, the business was always part of our daily life. It wasn’t just work—it was a family tradition passed down through generations,” says Annaloro. “Being around it from a young age gave me a deep appreciation for craftsmanship, consistency and the importance of preserving authentic Italian quality.”
In 2012, Annaloro established the L'Artigiano Gelato brand. And by 2024, he took his great-great-grandfather’s dream to the next level, rolling out the brand internationally. Quite literally, too: the gelato brand came to New York, serving scoops out of a custom 1957 Fiat 500 at The Shops at Columbus Circle. Flashy? Yes. But the use of a vintage car was poignant for Annaloro.
“The idea comes from a personal memory—riding for the first time in a classic FIAT 500 with our father through the streets of Italy. We wanted to transform this iconic symbol into a gelateria,” he says.
Now, the gelateria on wheels has set coordinates for a new destination, parking itself in Dumbo. Starting today, Friday, April 24, L'Artigiano Gelato brings its artisanal gelato to Time Out Market New York, Brooklyn. Popular and seasonal flavors will be on board, including the affogato al caffè, stracciatella and tiramisù. Sorbets will also be served, including mango sorbet and Sicilian lemon sorbet. And yes, the Fiat will be coming along as well, parked right next to the stall.
But now, even with such global reach and pints sold in grocery stores, Annaloro assures that his gelato is always made with Italy in mind. “We focus on high-quality, natural ingredients sourced from Italy and other premium regions. From Sicilian pistachios to carefully selected seasonal fruits, every ingredient is chosen with great care,” says Annaloro.