100 yr. old soda fountain finally selling famous hot fudge

After 100 years of serving their hot fudge sauce exclusively at their
stores in two-ounce pitchers, Lagomarcino's is now offering their
famous hot fudge in 10-ounce glass jars made precisely to the secret
formula that has always been used. The recipe will remain a well-kept
secret; with the hot fudge carefully prepared 25 jars at a time in their
own candy kitchen.

Lagomarcino's is a renowned confectionery and soda fountain in the
Quad Cities that is celebrating 100 years of continuous business in the
same family in 2008.

Founded by Angelo Lagomarcino in 1908, the confectionary has
operated continuously in downtown Moline, Illinois, and along with the
sale of the hot fudge in a jar, they are celebrating their centennial with
a new book "Sweet Memories: The Lagomarcino Story." This heart-
warming look at 100 years in business and their loyal customers was
written by Quad-City Times columnist and author Bill Wundram.

Angelo Lagomarcino obtained the secret recipe for their delicious hot
fudge sauce from a traveling salesman in 1912. Angelo paid him $25
for the recipe, against his wife's better judgment. She scolded him for
spending so much money, but he was right. The same recipe is still
used today and has earned Lagomarcino's national and international
recognition from well-known culinary magazines and food editors. It's
been touted by reviewers as "the best Hot Fudge in the Solar System."
The hot fudge sauce is served along side the ice cream in its own little
pitcher.

In a survey by Illinois Magazine published in its July 2002 issue,
Lagomarcino's was voted the "Best Homemade Candy" in the state. In
2006, Lagomarcino's won an America's Classics Award from the famous
James Beard Foundation in New York. The James Beard awards "are
considered the Oscars of the food industry," co-owner Beth
Lagomarcino said of the Beard awards.

The soda fountain also serves sandwiches, soups, salads, old-
fashioned sodas, phosphates, and a fruity pop invented by Charlie
Lagomarcino in the '20s.

At their Moline location, it's the original décor with the mahogany
booths, Tiffany-style lamps, and a hexagon terrazzo floor with blue
flowers. The metal ceiling is still there from when the building was
built and the original cigar and candy cases are still in use.
Lagomarcino's also opened a location across the river in the historic
Village of East Davenport in 1997.

The fourth generation of Lagomarcino's is helping continue the
delicious tradition. "My college kids are working this summer and (her
brother) Tom's children have," Ms. Lagomarcino said. "His kids have
worked extensively. It is how they helped pay their way through
college."

Both the books ($19.95 each) and glass jars of hot fudge ($7.95 each)
are for sale at their two stores.

Locations: 1422 5th Ave., Moline, IL, 309-764-1814
Village of East Davenport, 2132 E. 11th St., Davenport, IA, 563-324-
6137
For more information, visit http://www.lagomarcinos.com.

For information on the Quad Cities area, contact the Quad Cities
Convention & Visitors Bureau at 309-277-0937 or visit their website at
http://www.visitquadcities.com. Located on the Mississippi River in
the Midwest, the Quad Cities is comprised of Davenport and
Bettendorf, Iowa; Rock Island and Moline/East Moline, Illinois; and
surrounding communities.