🍧 Year-round, worldwide Rita’s? | Morning Newsletter
And changes coming to SEPTA, again.
The Morning Newsletter
Start your day with the Philly news you need and the stories you want all in one easy-to-read newsletter
Morning, Philly. Despite yesterday’s record March heat, it might snow today. Yes, really.
Rita’s is hoping both kinds of weather will get you in the mood for water ice. The Bucks County company’s latest owner is considering year-round sales and drive-through lanes in a bid to finally make the chain a national name.
And remember SEPTA’s plan to redo its bus routes? It’s back. The redesigned network is set to be implemented in phases over the next 18 months.
— Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
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Ever crave a mango gelati or Swedish Fish water ice in December? A locally beloved chain is hoping you’ll say yes.
🍧 The latest private-equity owner of Trevose-based Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard — its fourth since the founding Tumolo family sold in 2005 — is exploring winter hours for its stores, which normally operate spring through fall.
🍧 The possible expanded hours and an emphasis on drive-in locations are part of a push for national growth. Rita’s currently counts 605 stores across 29 states plus D.C., but hopes to operate 800 in five years, and maybe a few more overseas.
🍧 Amid the company’s ambitious goals — and though corporate has given up on that Philly colloquialism to instead call it “Italian ice” — the experience of slurping on an icy-smooth sweet treat has largely stayed the same, leaders insist.
🍧 “We haven’t changed our secret formulas,” Rita’s chief development officer told The Inquirer.
Business reporter Joseph N. DiStefano has more on Rita’s expansion plans.
P.S. Free water ice day is still a go. Get to a Rita’s on the first day of spring, March 20.
SEPTA is overhauling its bus network. That includes cutting 18 bus routes, speeding up frequency on some routes, and adding or extending others.
Sound familiar? The so-called Bus Revolution was shelved last year while the transit agency faced a financial meltdown. Now, it’s back and known as the straightforward New Bus Network.
But SEPTA’s approach to communicating with riders, as well as its timeline, will be different this time.
Transportation reporter Tom Fitzgerald has the full rundown of the changes.
Plus: What should The Inquirer’s part-time social media star report on next? Watch his pitch, then tell him in the comments.
What you should know today
One of the Bucks County teens charged with attempting to ignite homemade bombs at a New York City protest allegedly bought a fuse from an area fireworks shop days before. Plus, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro called New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Tuesday to offer his support: “Unfortunately, my family and I are no strangers to political violence.”
A Vietnamese gang leader has been added to the FBI Most Wanted list over the 2014 torture and killing of two brothers in Philadelphia.
More county and local governments are banning U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement from using their property. Philly could be next to act. And security funding for the 2026 World Cup is in jeopardy while Congress debates ICE enforcement.
A sweeping package of expanded protections for Pennsylvania’s LGBTQ+ community was sent to the state legislature, but the proposals face a steep challenge.
Gov. Mikie Sherrill called out a $13 million award for a proposed South Jersey jail in her budget brief. Camden County was not happy.
Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s new budget plan, which she will formally unveil Thursday, includes fees on Uber and Amazon, 1,000 homeless shelter beds, and $200 million for addiction recovery.
Pediatric surgeon Ala Stanford got a $1.4 million boost from a national super PAC in her bid for Congress amid a crowded primary.
Matt Cord, the 76ers public address announcer for 28 years, announced he is retiring at the end of this season.
Quote of the day
The multimedia Ministry of Awe opens this weekend across six floors of the former Manufacturers National Bank building. Take a peek inside.
🧠 Trivia time
Several Philly restaurants mysteriously received 600 tubs of what in recent weeks?
A) Fage Total 0% Greek yogurt
B) Trader Joe’s organic hummus
C) Jif creamy peanut butter
D) Heluva Good! French onion dip
Think you know? Check your answer.
What we’re ...
⚾ Remembering: When a Phillies pitcher became the first MLB player drafted into World War II.
🍀 Noting: How to watch (or avoid) this Sunday’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
🍹 Curious about: Stateside’s new sports-drink-style canned cocktail.
✈️ Anticipating: Philadelphia International Airport’s $500 million upgrade.
🗞️ Considering: Why parents should share news with their teenage children.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: Fishtown high school (and park)
TATER PENNY
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.
Cheers to Gary Novosielski, who solved Wednesday’s anagram: Springfield. The sale of the shuttered Springfield Hospital to local investors has been completed.
Photo of the day
🌳 One last upgraded thing: Fresh murals, trees, and pop-up businesses are slated for the Market East corridor ahead of the city’s summer celebrations. A demolition is also paused, for now.
I’ll be back with you tomorrow to close out the week in news. See you then.
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