Next Sunday Mr. Lemon, the family-owned frozen dessert shop on Hawkins Street, will celebrate 46 years in business. Famous for its wide array of flavors, regulars check the Facebook page for updates. Here is yesterday’s post and, no, I do not know what “flavor profile” is suggested by Happy SlapSlap.
Flavor Update: Lemon, Watermelon, Vanilla,Cotton Candy, Happy SlapSlap, Sugar Rush, Clown Candy, Snap Circus, Watermelon/Vanilla, Lemon Meringue, and Tuitti Fruitti! Remember to wear your Mask.
While this is a beloved neighborhood treasure, it is evident from other posts that fans will come from around the city for the icy treats. And everybody poses in front of the dynamic Mr. Lemon cartoon painted on the Appian Street side. It is something of a selfie wall at this point.
Dan McGowan of the Boston Globe was on top of the Mr. Lemon story when they finally opened in May following the state-mandated closure. He has the history of the shop:
Joseph A. Rao Sr. and his wife, Eileen, opened Mr. Lemon on June 21, 1974.
. . . Mr. Rao died in 1985, and Eileen, who is known as “Mama Lemon,” has run the business with her children, Joseph Jr., Janice, and Colleen, ever since. The family lives behind the shop in a multi-family home that they own. This virus has been especially cruel on the elderly, so Eileen, 91, has the kids running the shop right now.
“But she’s watching from the window,” Joseph Jr. quipped.
Stay safe Mama Lemon. The shop has its social distancing rules clearly marked on that pink sign, with marks on the sidewalk. Even the Mr. Lemon toon is wearing a mask.
This post is in response to a comment from a previous post we did on Del’s. Clearly Mr. Lemon fans are fiercely loyal. Thank you Joe.
Take note: Whether they are celebrating 46 years in business, or Fathers’ Day, or both, the Rao family will be taking the day off. They have posted, “Mr. Lemon will be closed on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 21.”
Cash only, noon to 7pm, Mr. Lemon, 32 Hawkins Street, (directions)