photo by R. Cress
Capogiro Gelato Artisans has been a Philadelphia fixture since the doors of their first store opened at 13th and Sansom in 2002. Owners John and Stephanie Reitano determined to create Capogiro after a family vacation to John’s native Italy when Stephanie had the opportunity to try traditional gelato for the first time.
Thought the company’s original spark was international in origin, Capogiro has been a Philly Homegrown business from day one. Stephanie seeks out all manner of locally grown and produced ingredients and lets seasonal availability inform the rotating flavor list. To date, she’s created nearly than four hundred flavors, with just 30 available in their retail shops at any given time.
Some of the most popular flavors include Thai coconut milk, fig, Nutella, burnt sugar, and black walnut. One beloved flavor is the Rosemary Honey Goat’s Milk, which was born out of a glut of those particular ingredients. It was meant to be a one-time item, but demand continues to bring it back. The Reitano’s buy as much of their fruit from local sources as possible and they have a dedicated herd in Lancaster County that produces hormone-free, grass-fed organic milk. Along with homemade gelato, Capogiro offers sorbetto, pastries, breakfast options, and panini sandwiches as well as a full espresso bar.
Manager Dawne Ballard says, “people come running through the door as early as eleven o’clock in the morning asking for gelato.” The shop is open for sixteen hours a day, and can be found in four different locations throughout the city, select grocery stores, and online.
