Doughboy sundaes, boardwalk coming to Iggy’s

Brianna Bier
Posted 8/19/14

Imagine this – a still warm doughboy molded to fit in a bowl with ice cream and covered with your favorite toppings.

Well, David Gravino says you won’t have to imagine a doughboy sundae. It …

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Doughboy sundaes, boardwalk coming to Iggy’s

Posted

Imagine this – a still warm doughboy molded to fit in a bowl with ice cream and covered with your favorite toppings.

Well, David Gravino says you won’t have to imagine a doughboy sundae. It could be here by late fall.

The sundae is all part of what will be coming to Iggy's Boardwalk in Oakland Beach. There’s a lot more, according to Gravino, who has owned and operated Iggy’s with his sister, Maryann Soares, for 24 years.

The Boardwalk now hidden by construction fences and curtains is right next to the Iggy's Doughboys & Chowder House. Although still under renovation, the Boardwalk has some of the look of Iggy’s, yet is different

“It's going to be really inviting with a really ship-looking atmosphere,” Gravino said during a behind-the-curtain tour of the building he has owned for years.

After seeing tenants come and go, Gravino began the Boardwalk believing it would just require a few renovations. The more he got into the project, the deeper he went. The building was gutted and Gravino is replacing nearly everything, adding a state-of-the-art kitchen, bead board ceilings and mahogany doors.

He hasn’t left anything to chance.

Gravino confides when he gets into a project; he wants it done right or not at all. Beams to the building, which show signs of a fire years ago, all have sister beams. Windows are all designed to withstand hurricanes, restrooms have been repositioned so doors don’t open into the dining area and the bar that was once against a wall is in the middle of the room. The bar with mahogany framed windows makes up part of a divider allowing for the seating of private parties.

The project, which Gravino put in the range of costing $1 million, has a family touch. Gravino’s brother in-law, Michael Grenon, is doing the work.

“Every seat will have a water view,” said Gravino.

As for the front of the building, Gravino wants it to complement Iggy's. It has lost its “warehouse-look” and its trim, windows and faux columns give it a New England seaside feel.

The boardwalk, which is out back overlooking the beach and Greenwich Bay, will hold about 350 people. The inside will accommodate another 130.

So far Gravino has said little about his plans with the exception of Mayor Scott Avedisian and close friends, family and, naturally, employees.

"This is a wonderful development for Oakland Beach and for the city. Iggy's is already a major draw for the area, but this new venture will allow David to have large events – including weddings – at this location," the mayor said when reached for comment. He would go for a vanilla doughboy sundae with no whipped cream.

The fences and curtains have added intrigue and a level of expectation among customers anxious to know what’s coming.

“Keeping it under wraps, hiding it from everyone,” Gravino said with a smile.

But he can’t resist. There’s so much more to the Boardwalk than doughboy sundaes.

There are many things that Iggy's has never done before, such as a sit-down dinner where there will be wait staff serving shore dinners. Gravino mentions lobster combos, such as lobsters and steamers or lobsters with fish or steak. Price will depend on the market, but he’s looking at full dinners in the range of $25.

He has plans for a raw bar and gazebo bar. There could even be a jazz band on Saturday and Sunday evenings.

A creamery is also included in the new boardwalk. The creamery will offer windows onto the sidewalk as well as on the interior, offering 30 to 40 flavors of hard serve Gifford's Homemade Ice Cream.

Weddings at the boardwalk may be the next big craze. Gravino sees renovating a back building so that it offers accommodations for the bride to change and prepare for the ceremony. He has already booked a wedding for next October.

Gravino began working at age 12, with his father, Gaetano. They worked together at the site of the boardwalk when it was Gus'.

When Gravino bought the building that became Iggy’s 24 years ago, the family was at a loss of what to name it.

The name Iggy's came from Gravino's father's license plate growing up, “Ig6,” which then lead to a playful nickname that his father detested, “Iggy.” When they bought the chowder house, the name choice was clear, Iggy's.

Later, he said, his father came to love the name.

This million-dollar project will offer million-dollar views all year around, just as Gravino planned.

Comments

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  • Frodo14

    Perfect. Hold all the criminals from Oakland beach in one spot so the streets are safe for a short time

    Wednesday, August 20, 2014 Report this

  • JohnonSeaView

    Hi Frodo14, I've been living in OB for 5 years and haven't encountered any criminals. Where are they? Maybe I live on the wrong street. What I do see is people buying rundown houses and fixing them up which is increasing property values. I also see kids riding bikes, joggers, people walking dogs and mothers pushing strollers along Sea View Drive (which is where I live). I always hear terrible things about Oakland Beach but haven't experienced any of it. The neighborhood is changing for the better but apparently people prefer to stick to old biases. I've never seen any "debris" either.

    Thursday, August 21, 2014 Report this

  • Frodo14

    Yeah, Oakland Beach is so great that the motto is "where the debris meets the sea". I went down there last week and there is nothing but unwashed people and welfare bums hanging out on the beach.

    Thursday, August 21, 2014 Report this

  • JohnonSeaView

    Hi again,

    Didn't you see my last sentence? I am aware of that tired slogan. Just because things rhyme does not mean they are true. Places change. If it is so terrible why do you go there? Are you unwashed or on welfare? And where my friend do you live? I would like to visit and critique your neighborhood.

    Thursday, August 21, 2014 Report this

  • tamiw31

    As long as it's also about keeping the area clean and not just another money maker. I have lived there for 13 years now and have seen

    It come a Looooooong way but also has a long way to go. A big downfall is the trash that comes to the beach on the city bus.

    But there's not much I can do about that. If everyone would just clean up their own trash and respect the fact that there are those of is who

    Live in that community all year around things would be wonderful. I am not rich but I know how to take my yard,

    Clean up my trash and keep my property clean. That's all it takes folks! The only way we are going to make the area better is to get the area bought

    By home OWNERS and get rid of the riff raff renters and slum lords who rent out to people who don't give a shit about their

    Property. Businesses like Iggys also has to take some responsibility for the trash they generate and clean up the area at the end of the day or encourage people to clean up after themselves! Sometimes saying "thanks for stopping by at Iggys and please clean up after yourself" is an easy thing to get people to take responsibility for their trash, their babies diapers etc. common sense people!

    Thursday, August 21, 2014 Report this

  • RIposter

    I just want to know where are all the cars goping to park when they can accommodate 480 people? Is he buying the whole right side of the street?

    Friday, August 22, 2014 Report this

  • MikeDisalvia

    Glad something is going there that will have a chance to stay and strive

    Saturday, August 23, 2014 Report this

  • warwickfan

    This sounds great to me. Would rather have it done by David since he certainly knows how to run a business successfully. I do think parking could be an issue, but I look forward to seeing it complete. Let's smile and support local businesses instead of constantly criticizing the area and everything else.

    Thursday, August 28, 2014 Report this

  • srob228

    While we like the idea of a successful business, with it comes the trash. Dave should take his carry out business to the next level and replace all the plastic and styrofoam containers with biodegradeable products. As for the parking, he ownes the property across the street near Jonah, maybe he intends to make that a parking lot. In either case, parking lot or not, that property is in sad condition, over grown with weeds taller than a person is not the image a business owner should be projecting….is it Dave? Let's not fall into doing things to the beach just to do them (like removing the neighboorhood basketball court and creating an eyesore for the amusement of a select few who also seem to like to park on the grass islands instead of at curbside). Yes Oakland Beach has improved and yes it can be better. With cooperation from business owners, town officials and the police, we can have a great and safe community.

    Sunday, September 7, 2014 Report this

  • stinkeone

    i want to know how they get to use close to 5000 square feet of city property they have encroached on water front property is a scarce commodity and to allow it to be used for this is a shame even his board walk encroaches on it he has a gate in which he uses to keep people from using it he assumes it is his just don't understand he just bought property next to the carousel grill nothing wrong with that except it was advertised for 269 thousand and he paid 59 thousand something doesn't seem right there cash deals are nice but to save 200 thousand eh all in a days work

    Wednesday, April 1, 2015 Report this

  • warwick10

    While it sounds good to me, the area is questionable. Crime is highest in this area of Warwick, reading stories here, in the police log is an everyday thing. My aunt has lived in Oakland Beach for over 40 years and in her opinion, says the area needs improvements, mainly with housing and the neighborhoids. Property owners renting to unqualified people, drug raids are known in this area of Warwick.

    Friday, April 3, 2015 Report this

  • ryanhall

    give the guy a break he has a great busniss plan can you do better its not his problem that people throw trash around he has trash cans its the city that needs to be there at the beach if people are hanging out for no good reason/ for 40yrs my husband and I came from Prov it sit watch the boats go swimming and to fish. lov the area seen it get better over the yrs. the area that has renters if there a problem take it up with zoning ITS NOT DAVIDS FAULT do you blame the other business???

    Saturday, April 11, 2015 Report this

  • ryanhall

    give the guy a break he has a great busniss plan can you do better its not his problem that people throw trash around he has trash cans its the city that needs to be there at the beach if people are hanging out for no good reason/ for 40yrs my husband and I came from Prov it sit watch the boats go swimming and to fish. lov the area seen it get better over the yrs. the area that has renters if there a problem take it up with zoning ITS NOT DAVIDS FAULT do you blame the other business??? ENJOY YOURSELF before they are only memories

    Saturday, April 11, 2015 Report this

  • willteasel

    This guy is obviously a very smart individual, but I have to question whether he is insane to think a wedding and banquet facility in Oakland Beach is going to make it. It seems like the money he is making from Iggys is burning a hole in his pocket.

    Saturday, May 2, 2015 Report this