Oyster Bay Carvel under new ownership

The iconic Carvel in Oyster Bay is buzzing with excitement as it welcomes new ownership and a fresh vision for the beloved ice cream parlor. Mike Cardamone, along with his wife Jen, took over the reins just a month and a half ago, and he said they are excited to get to know the community better.

Cardamone, a seasoned entrepreneur with a background in various businesses, saw Oyster Bay as a promising location for expansion. With two teenage boys starting to look at colleges, Cardamone said he and his wife saw the need for diversification and seized the chance to invest in the bustling Oyster Bay community.

This is not the first Carvel store the Cardamone’s have run, having been the owners and operators of a Carvel in Glen Oaks for the last five years. Following their purchase of the Oyster Bay store, it underwent a complete renovation, boasting additional machines, an expanded menu, and a revamped layout for improved efficiency.

"We've added more flavors, more options, and even introduced custom cakes and picture cakes," Cardamone explained. "Everything is made fresh right here, ensuring top-notch quality for our customers."

Jeny Yang, a high school student from East Norwich and an employee at Carvel for the last three years, expressed her excitement for the changes while reminiscing about the familial atmosphere cultivated under the previous ownership. She said that while she was sad to see James Xieh, the previous owner, sell the store, the Cardamones had been very welcoming and had kept on all of the former employees.

"It's like a big family here," she said. "I've made friends and learned the value of teamwork. I'm glad we're all staying together."

Many of the long-time employees are students who will be graduating this year and going off to college, and while many young people have signed up to work in the summer, he added that he would be looking to hire more year-round employees.

Although the Cardamones have only been running the Oyster Bay Carvel for a brief period of time, Cardamone said that the community has been very welcoming.

"Everybody loves it," Cardamone said with a smile. "We've received nothing but positive feedback."

Cardamone emphasized his dedication to maintaining high standards, from cleanliness to customer service. He claimed that he prided himself “on having one of the cleanest Carvels on Long Island."

As summer approaches, anticipation is building for the bustling nights ahead. Cardamone said that under his family’s ownership the store would be changing its hours, staying open until 10 p.m. for most of the year and open until 11 p.m. in the summer.

Cardamone added that the store would now also make custom cakes, including having picture cakes which people can order by emailing their requests and photos to mycarvel2703@gmail.com. Ultimately, he said the most exciting part of running the new store was getting to meet and be a part of the community.

“I’m a people person,” Cardamone said. “This isn’t just a business that makes good money. It’s a chance to interact with people.”