Joanna Fantozzi

UPDATE: Eddie's is open Wednesday–Sunday from 3–9pm for takeout only, according to its Facebook page.  Like Katz’s Deli, Delmonico’s, and Lombardi’s, Eddie’s Sweet Shop on Metropolitan Avenue in Forest Hills is one of New York City's oldest eateries. It's also the city's oldest ice cream shop! Believe it or not, Eddie’s has been scooping homemade ice cream and toppings from behind the same marble countertops since around 1925! (Though other folks might claim otherwise: A publication inaccurately reported that it opened in 1909, and the news spread quickly). After the original Jahn’s franchise locations closed, Eddie’s unofficially became the oldest ice cream shop in New York City, but owner Vito Citrano won’t own up to the superlative and does not advertise it anywhere. “We just keep doing what we’re doing day by day and don’t think about it,” he said. “We don’t change much, so you always know what you’re gonna get here.” Photograph: Joanna Fantozzi When you walk into the unassuming corner store, the first thing you might notice is that Eddie’s does not look like the typical retro ice cream parlor. Other soda fountains might have 1950s decor with chrome counters and bright red booths, but Eddie’s wooden and marble interior has not changed since it opened. Even the refrigerator is more than 80 years old. “When we bought this shop in 1968, it was already nostalgic,” Citrano said. The Citrano family and their team of scoopers make all 18 flavors of ice cream from scratch, usi