WILBRAHAM – Rice Fruit Farm is getting ready for the summer season by allowing for indoor and outdoor events, expansion and their enlarging homemade ice cream production.

Rice Fruit Farm is known for its full bakery and cafe. The local restaurant anticipates having it’s recurring musicians to perform including Mike Forest, Joe Zebian and Aelan Lisowski. Musicians that come to perform create a family friendly environment,” said Rice Fruit Farm’s owner, Anthony Maloni.

Maloni discussed an expansion that is in progress to help with busy hours. He said, “An expansion is being done to the grill area to speed up weekends and to provide more grill menu options to our customers.”

According to Maloni, the reconstruction of Rice Fruit Farm has been going on since having to adjust to the pandemic such as the outside being revamped to accompany enough seating for its customers. Rice Fruit Farm offers 28 seating areas that are open for customers to spread out and eat. Safety standards initiated by the state are followed, such as wearing masks in indoor public places and outdoors when unable to maintain six feet from each other.

Maloni explained the business was “getting punched again and again,” he added, “We didn’t know if it was going to last one, two or three months. There were supply corruptions, couldn’t get ingredients, supply chain issues and packing had been a hard process. I’m fortunate to have been able to keep my doors open,” he shared. “Customers were happy to see that we were open, it brought a little sense of normalcy.”

Maloni said he is always looking for small things to do to increase business. “For instance, expanding the ice cream production by providing small batches with the best ingredients,” said Maloni.

On social media, Maloni said he looks to promote new ice cream flavors to get customers hyped. Most recently on Facebook, the Star Wars themed ice cream called the Dark Side was posted. The ice cream contained brownies, chocolate chunk cookies and Oreos.

Aside from the success of social media, Rice Fruit Farm’s online ordering has allowed customers to avoid having to wait for their food and drinks. Customers can log onto the Rice Fruit Farm website to order items namely bagels, coffee and breakfast sandwiches. “Online ordering can be a tricky process, we always thank customers for their patience,” Maloni said.

Rice Fruit Farm is currently in the development of producing a TV commercial to intrigue more customers.

“We are always in growth mode,” Maloni said.