Center Grove’s McGovern family has vacationed on Florida’s Sanibel Island for years. One of their favorite spots, besides the beach, is Pinocchio’s Original Italian Ice Cream. Pinocchio’s, a fixture of Sanibel for 34 years, makes ice cream following an original hand written recipe brought over from Italy. You will find a variety of unique flavors, served in cones, cups, cakes, and even cannolis. Two and half years ago the McGovern family approached the owners about doing 
more than just bringing some ice cream home, they wanted to open their own Pinocchio’s Italian Ice Cream store.
It took two years to finalize the details and reach an agreement but in November of last year, they were on their way to opening the only other location of Pinocchio’s Original Italian Ice Cream. Mandy found a space on State Road 135, just south of County Line Road between Starbucks and McAlister’s Deli. On April 13, 2012 she opened to the rave reviews of area ice cream lovers.
Walking in the store, no matter the weather outside, is a day brightening experience. The key lime green and white walls, and the hand dipped ice cream freezers give a beach feel. Add in the colorful menus displayed on HDTV’s and you get a smile on your face before you even taste the ice cream. It is a bit of sunny southwest Florida close to home.
McGovern says she is appreciative of the response. Pinocchio’s has attracted customers from around Indiana, Tennessee, and elsewhere, many of whom are familiar with the original Sanibel location. A number of them have traveled to the store just for the bit of the Florida vacation they recall. She points to a handwritten thank you note on a bulletin board from a customer it reads “Thank you for the great experience.” She says it is about the experience and keeping people smiling.
If you haven’t tasted Pinocchio’s Original Italian Ice Cream, you should. Made fresh in the store daily from 140 different recipes, each is mixed with fresh ingredients and flavors. 32 different varieties of ice cream are available on any day. In addition to being an experience, a trip to Pinocchio’s is an enjoyable surprise in the available flavors. Names such as Mocha Java, Double Dark Chocolate, Parrots Nest, Wylies’ Cake Batter, Gator Stew and Pumpkin Gingersnap are a just a few of them. You can also find 
Sanibel Krunch; which is vanilla ice cream with toasted coconut, chocolate; gourmet mixed nuts, and sliced almonds. Try a Purple Cow; black raspberry ice cream with chocolate flakes, or check out the Dirty Sand Dollar; caramel flavored ice cream, malted milk balls, and chocolate flakes.
You’ll find other treats too. Got a birthday coming up? Try an ice cream cake, personalized for the occasion. Want a nice after dinner treat? Grab a canolli filled with ice cream. Or go ahead and make someone’s day with a Pinocchio’s Italian Ice Cream gift card.
Thanks to Mandy McGovern and her family’s love of ice cream, you can now find a little bit of Florida and Italy right along State Road 135. cg
- 1011 N. State Road 135
- Sun-Thurs 11am – 9pm
- Fri-Sat 11am-10pm
- 317-865-8844
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