Geno’s, Scoops and Sweets deliver a taste of community

TIOGA - Geno’s Pizzeria has been a local hotspot in Tioga for the past decade now, serving made-from-scratch dough pizza and pasta in the heart of the town on Gene Autry Drive. 

Recently, the business expanded its offerings by partnering with Scoops and Sweets, bringing their full ice cream menu under the same roof so families can now enjoy savory and sweet dishes all in one spot. 

The pizzeria was built by Eugene Ilczyszyn, a man who came out of retirement to pursue his dream of opening a pizza shop. He seized the opportunity to make things happen when a property went up for sale in Tioga and he built Geno’s. 
For three years, Eugene and his wife, Adela, ran Geno’s pizzeria themselves until they decided to go back into retirement. The Ilczyszyns met Kristi Staples, a teacher in Tioga who was looking for something new and exciting to do. Ilczyszyn taught Staples everything he knew about running the pizzeria, and in July 2019, Staples and her husband, Rick, purchased the business. 

The Staples are passionate about serving the community that they care so deeply about. The couple loves the town they live in and the community they are surrounded by— the school, the church and the people who all make it a special place. 

They now operate Geno’s with Scoops and Sweets, sharing the same heart for bringing the community together. The Perrys who run Scoops and Sweets share the same vision of providing a place where families and people in the community can gather together to eat, have fun, meet others in the community and create memories together. 

By joining spaces and menus, they have created a place where neighbors can feel welcome and connect with each other. 

Looking to the future, the Staples are excited about growing their business to better serve their customers, with plans to increase family games and activities, providing more shade for outdoor areas and making the space more inviting and comfortable for people to hang out. 

In the years ahead, Geno’s and Scoops and Sweets hope to continue growing while keeping the community at the heart of everything they do.