Rita's Italian Ice will open by the end of the week at 119 E. Beaver Ave., owner Richard Shore confirmed today.

Shore said the store will serve up fresh Italian water ices and custard as well as combinations of the two products.

The store will have eighteen employees, mostly working part-time greeting guests, serving the items and making the products fresh, Shore said.

"All the ice is made fresh here at the store," Shore said. "It's not like they ship it here and its all done. We want to make sure everyone gets fresh products.

The store will have walk-up windows in addition to inside service, Shore said. Shore said he hopes people will visit Rita's this week despite the forecast for a major snowstorm.

University Weather Service has predicted up to a foot of snow between tomorrow afternoon and Wednesday morning.

"That's just a prediction," Shore said. "People generally like [Italian ice] when it's warm out, but people are looking forward to it and hopefully will come try it out."