Growing into Greco’s
Meet the New Owner of One of Lititz’s Most Loved Businesses
Hamzah Dawood grew up here in Lititz, spending evenings kicking a ball with his brother at Lititz Elementary School, competing in high school sports, and – of course – grabbing ice cream cones at Greco’s. Today, Hamzah is the ice cream shop’s new owner and he’s kicking off his first season with a smile.
Hamzah’s goal? To safeguard all the things that made Greco’s special, like the shop’s warm welcome, favorite flavors, and dedication to community. He also wants to add the things that will secure the shop’s success in the future. Two improvements are already being celebrated by many in the community. First, Greco’s has gone from cash-only to accepting credit cards as well as cash, and, second, the shop now offers vegan ice cream. The result? More people can enjoy Greco’s!
“My hope for Greco’s is that we continue to keep moving forward,” says Hamzah. “Without change and evolution we leave ourselves at risk of being left behind. I see a bigger, brighter future where local families and visitors from places near and far can enjoy Greco’s right here in America’s coolest small town.”
While Hamzah is excited about Greco’s future, it’s not lost on him how important it is to cherish its past. He knows firsthand how small businesses, especially ice cream shops, can become ingrained in the memories of our childhoods. Certain sounds, smells, and in this case, tastes, can bring us back to our most cherished times. For Hamzah and his partner, fellow Lititz native, Tinishia, their work at the shop is personal. Long before it became their livelihood, Greco’s was a part of their childhood stories.
“My hope is that a decade or two the kids I’m meeting today will be coming in to introduce me to their own children. That’s what owning a community business is all about. And that’s Greco’s. Yes, we’re here for the ice cream, and our mission is to make it great, but we’re also here to be a part of something bigger…creating a space where everyone feels a sense of belonging.”
We think it’s pretty cool that a Lititz kid who came for treats as a child has now grown to become Greco’s owner. These are the small town stories we love to tell. Hamzah, we’re so glad you chose to build your life right here at home. The future is bright at Greco’s!
