Sometimes the best local businesses begin with a little bit of spontaneity, a big idea, and the willingness to take a chance.

That’s exactly how Main St. Gelato came to be.

This family-owned Thompson business wasn’t born from generations of Italian gelato makers or years of experience in the industry. In fact, the family behind Main St. Gelato isn’t Italian, and they had never made gelato before opening their doors.

Their story began on February 12, 2022, during the Fire & Ice event in Putnam. While walking around the event, the family spotted a vacant storefront and, almost on the spot, decided they should open a gelato shop.

Just two days later, on February 14, 2022, they signed the paperwork.

By July 1, 2022, Main St. Gelato officially opened its doors.

And the rest, as they say, is history.

More Than Just Gelato

While gelato may be in the name, Main St. Gelato offers something for just about every kind of sweet-tooth craving.

Their selection includes:

🍨 Gelato
🍦 Premium Ice Cream
🍓 Sorbettos
🍧 Italian Ice

They also offer a variety of options for different dietary needs and preferences, including gluten-free, sugar-free, dairy-free, and vegan selections.

Full ingredient listings are available, making it easier for customers to find something that works for them.

Made In-House With Italian Inspiration

One of the things that makes Main St. Gelato particularly special is the care that goes into making its products.

The family makes everything in-house, using Italian-made equipment, recipes, and ingredients. Their goal is to create products using the same type of equipment and recipes you would find in many European gelaterias.

Their products are also made with zero added preservatives and no food coloring, with the exception of their Cotton Candy Ice Cream and Cotton Candy Sorbetto.

That means when you stop in, you’re not simply picking up a frozen treat. You’re experiencing something that this family has built from scratch, right here in our local community.

A Family Business With a Big Leap of Faith

Perhaps the most fun part of the Main St. Gelato story is that it wasn’t a business they had spent years planning.

It started with a walk through an event, a vacant storefront, and a spontaneous conversation that turned into a real business just a few months later.

Today, Main St. Gelato is a family business built around a husband, wife, two kids, and even the family dog.

It’s a great reminder that local businesses don’t always begin with a perfect business plan or decades of experience.

Sometimes they begin with an idea and the courage to say, “Why not?”

Whether you’re a longtime customer or haven’t stopped in yet, Main St. Gelato is another great example of the unique businesses that make Thompson special.

So the next time you’re looking for something cold, creamy, fruity, sweet, or simply a little different, consider keeping your sweet-tooth cravings local.

Support the family behind the business, try a new flavor, and discover one of Thompson’s sweetest local stories at Main St. Gelato.

Because sometimes the best businesses are the ones that started with a little bit of unexpected inspiration.