Iconic Fifth Avenue South ice cream shop closes: We have the scoop

Putting rumors to rest, Fifth Avenue South pioneer Regina Tenaglia, who opened her eponymous 1950s-themed Regina’s Ice Cream Pavilion in December 1988, is retiring.

The shop’s last day was Aug. 16.

“My family and I would like to thank all of my generations of customers in the community for their support throughout those 35 years. We couldn’t have done it without them. It’s been a great ride and now on to the future,” she said in a note.

This is her second retirement: an earlier career was in the banking sector in Westchester County, New York.

From 2017-19, Regina’s Ice Cream Pavilion was a popular participant in the annual Paradise Wine & Food Experience presented by Naples Daily News, The News-Press and the USA TODAY Network.

Over the years, the event was usually on a very hot day, even when held in November. Her lemon ice was the perfect refreshment for this reporter.

The vivacious Tenaglia has seen it all during her time on the Avenue, including a rare snowstorm hitting Naples during her opening month.

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Celebrity customers over the years included Hulk Hogan, Tony Curtis, Dan Marino and Uma Thurman with her kids.

From sundaes scoops to malteds and more, Tenaglia's funniest memory is the gent who worked his way through her list of 42 flavors via milkshakes, asking her to blend four different tastes per cup every week.

The shop was devastated by Hurricane Ian. Along with Petunias of Naples and Oliver's Barber Shop, neighboring businesses that share a corridor in the tucked-in plaza between Eight and Ninth Streets, a grand re-opening celebration was held Jan. 12 during "Evening on Fifth."

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Closed: The scoop on a legendary Fifth Avenue South ice cream shop