Eddie’s Sweet Shop, a cherished Forest Hills ice cream parlor known for its timeless treats and family-run charm, is one of the iconic spots featured in the Monopoly: Queens Edition board that was released over the weekend.
The beloved ice cream parlor, located at 105-29 Metropolitan Ave., has a permanent spot on the popular board game alongside other iconic organizations, landmarks, and businesses from New York City’s largest borough.
Known for its traditional ice cream-making process, Eddie’s Sweet Shop has earned a reputation for offering classic flavors like cherry vanilla, coffee, banana, and old-school ice cream sodas and sundaes. “The goal here is not to change; our model is to have ice cream the way your grandfathers had ice cream,” says owner Vito Citrano. “We make all the ice cream, syrups, and hand-whipped cream here.”
As a family-owned business, Vito takes pride in maintaining these traditions and passing them on through generations. “My family took over in 1968. My father, Giuseppe Citrano, and my grandfather helped with the business, but now they are retired,” says Citrano. “Now, I’m here with my two sons and wife, who are helping out.”
The Citrano family also instills Italian values of hard work, which have become the foundation of the business. “In an Italian family, when you first start to walk, they put you right to work. I’ve been here with my dad working side by side since I can remember,” Vito shares. “In the long run, you learn not to expect anything without hard work.”
At Eddie’s, the charm extends beyond the vintage decor, which includes wood-topped stools and an antique seven-light chandelier. The ice cream is served in dishes that are 50 to 60 years old, preserving the old-fashioned experience. “We don’t allow our customers to sit here and have ice cream in paper cups. They have to enjoy it on our dishes and in glasses,” Vito remarks.
Vito fondly recalls playing Monopoly with his father and cousins, and he recently bought the ‘Walking Dead’ edition with his sons. Seeing Eddie’s Sweet Shop featured in Monopoly: Queens Edition, he says, is a testament to his family’s dedication to keeping traditional ice cream alive in Forest Hills. “Sometimes we’d play Monopoly all night; it’s a 6–7-hour game,” Vito remembers. “When we found out we might be one of the businesses on the board, and that it was up to our customers to vote us in, I felt a great sense of pride.”
To celebrate Eddie’s Sweet Shop being featured in Monopoly: Queens Edition, Vito, wearing a self-designed black T-shirt with the business name on the back, is offering a special promotion. “If you buy the Monopoly: Queens Edition, we’ll give you a $20 gift certificate so you can come back and enjoy some ice cream,” he says. The board game is also available for purchase in-store.
