Popular Italian gelateria 'Oggi' opens first US location in Norwalk
Carmelo Chiaramida, the owner, says Oggi makes their gelato the authentic and simple way.
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A popular Italian gelateria with locations all over the world has chosen Norwalk to be its first American location.
A plaza on Westport Avenue is creating its own Little Italy with Oggi Gelato being the latest addition, and it sits right in between Romanacci and Osteria Romana.
It opened in June and already gained big fans.
Carmelo Chiaramida, the owner, was born in Italy and got into making gelato in 2005.
Chiaramida says Oggi makes their gelato in the authentic and simple way.
"I want to make gelato like the original gelato without additives, milk from Connecticut, cream from Connecticut, sugar from Connecticut and mix with my recipe. Simple, yeah," he said.
Since 2014 - he's opened locations internationally all over Italy; Athens, Barcelona, Santiago, Chile - and now they are getting their first scoop in the U.S. on 250 Westport Ave. in Norwalk.
"Never in my life did I ever visit Connecticut, beautiful Norwalk, when I opened here it was very strange vibes because I was waiting for this moment for 17 years," said Chiaramida.
He had been friends with owners of Romanacci and Osteria Romana and when the space in between became available it was a no-brainer for him.
"We clicked together and started with other friends for this amazing experience," he said.
But Chiaramida never imagined the big hit the store would get by setting up shop at that location.
"More amazing, the first, the second week and my friend called me Carmelo we have a lot of people!" Chiaramida said.
Oggi Gelato is open seven days a week.
