Stella Ice Cream: A Sweet Success Story in Ice Cream Wholesale

Stella Ice Cream has been around for over 65 years. From modest beginnings to a blossoming ice cream staple that continues to delight customers across the UK, Stella’s story is one of hard work, innovation, and a deep-rooted passion for ice cream wholesale.

The Journey Begins

The year is 1951, and a young Sicilian named Calogero Mancuso (also known as Charlie), ventured to the UK in search of work. This led to a five-year stint in the St Helens collieries, which proved to be a vital way of supporting his family back home, as well as being a stepping stone towards his entrepreneurial dreams.

Returning to Sicily, he married Elena and moved back to England, where the seeds of Stella’s future were sown.

Mancuso's Café: Where It All Started

Calogero soon realised that coal mining was not his calling. After frequenting Capaldi’s in Kensington, he was overcome by his entrepreneurial spirit and seized the opportunity to buy a café. By the end of 1959, Mancuso’s Café was born. But it wasn’t just sandwiches and hot drinks on the menu…

Despite being told the industry was dying out, Calogero held true to his belief in frozen treats, and began selling handmade ice cream and lollies. He was right to – because at the onset of the 1960s, Mister Softee emerged to change the game.

Innovation and Expansion

It’s a name synonymous with ice cream, but did you know Calogero reinvented Mister Softee’s UK image? After becoming one of their first franchisees, his first Mister Softee van was decked out with flashing lights and musical chimes, which was unheard of at the time! Locals flocked to it, proving yet again the relentless innovation at the heart of Stella’s DNA.

The business soon evolved to include manufacturing, with a focus on ice lollies and wholesale expansion. Later, recognising the shift towards home freezers in the ’70s, Calogero adapted, supplying domestic packs to freezer centres and supermarkets. His proactive approach helped Stella Ice Cream become a leading name in ice cream wholesale, meeting the demands of a growing market.

Calogero’s encouragement led many fellow countrymen to join the ice cream trade, further cementing his legacy in the community. His influence was so great that he was even awarded a knighthood by the Anglo-Italian Association. That’s right – Calogero is a cavaliere.

A Family Affair

Transitioning to Stella Ice Cream, the business is now overseen by Calogero’s son, Salvatore, and his wife, Antonella. For over 20 years, they’ve been serving delectable ice cream and frozen treats from their Knowsley Industrial Park base, upholding the family’s ice cream wholesale legacy.

Under Salvatore and Antonella, Stella has returned to its roots, focusing on local independent vendors and creating bespoke products for UK brands.

Their decision to prioritise quality and community over mass production reflects the enduring values of the Mancuso family. These family values aren’t just a sweet story, they’re integral to Stella’s success!

In recent years, Salvatore has worked with a number of renowned brands – such as Vimto, Real Nice Organics, Nando’s, Carluccio’s and Wagamama – to push Stella into brave and bold new horizons.

The Stella Ice Cream story is more than just a successful business tale. It’s a narrative woven with family values, community spirit, and a relentless pursuit of excellence in the ice cream wholesale industry. As Salvatore puts it, “It’s hard to keep it going, but we keep it going.”

The Future

Stella Ice Cream’s journey from a small café to a renowned name in ice cream wholesale is an inspiring tale of perseverance, innovation, and family legacy. As they continue to serve generations of loyal customers, Stella stands as a sweet reminder of how dreams can indeed turn into delectable realities.

Antonella puts it best: “We like to say we’ve been making ice cream, frozen treats and happy days since 1958, and we hope there’s many more years to come.”