Angus Beaton purchased Brockton Ice and Coal in an era where ice was harvested from winter ponds such as Flagg Pond and D.W. Field and Park in Brockton, Massachusetts, and when ice was essential for preserving food in household ice boxes.

The Beaton family built a “modern” 50-ton block ice plant at 27 Lawerence Street in Brockton.

Chet Rossi purchased the ice division of Brockton Ice and Coal and reintroduced it as The Ice House. At a time when traditional block ice was fading from household use, he transformed the business by focusing on packaged ice-starting with just one truck and twelve loyal customers.

Chet purchased Eastern Ice Company, in Newport Rhode Island, which was operated by his sons Joe and David Rossi. Originally a block ice plant serving the region’s fishing industry, Eastern Ice later expanded into the packaged ice production as the local fishing industry declined.

The Ice House and Eastern Ice grew their presence in the packaged ice market by focusing on value pricing, exceptional service, and targeted acquisitions. Along the way, they purchased the Ice Man in Hyannis in 1988, Nice Ice in Fairhaven in 1995, and Mystic Ice in Connecticut in 1997. During this time Joe and David’s children and nephews became an integral part of the family business. 

Eastern Ice and The Ice House merged to form a single, larger company, creating greater efficiency while continuing to acquire businesses to grow their delivery footprint. In 2002, Eastern Ice acquired Connecticut Ice, expanding service further throughout Connecticut. This was followed by the purchase of Atlantic Ice in Weymouth, Massachusetts, in 2003, extending deliveries closer to the Boston Market.

As operations outgrew the Newport, Rhode Island facility, Eastern Ice invested in a new 25,000-square-foot production and distribution facility in Fall River, Massachusetts. Strategically located at the center of its delivery footprint. This new plant produced 220 tons of ice daily across four production lines.

Following the move to Fall River, Eastern Ice recognized growing demand for cold storage among local food producers. In response, the company added 32,000 square feet of cold storage capacity and a central refrigeration system.

Eastern Ice purchased Fortier Ice in Wales, Massachusetts. This was the largest acquisition to date, adding over 600 new customers and expanding its delivery range into Western Massachusetts.

As Eastern Ice expanded into Western Massachusetts, the company undertook a expansion and added 80 tons of ice production capacity to the Fall River facility increasing production to meet growing regional demand.

Eastern Ice had the opportunity to purchase Cape Cod Ice, their largest competition in the area, which served close to 1,000 accounts. This acquisition made Eastern Ice the largest privately owned ice company in the Northeast.

Eastern Ice purchased American Ice in Springfield, Massachusetts. This acquisition enabled Eastern Ice to better service their customers in Western Massachusetts. This distribution center also sells to the public. This location is currently the only Eastern Ice location that sells dry ice.

To keep pace with expanding customer demand, Eastern Ice boosted its operations with 200 additional tons of ice production capacity and another new production line, raising total daily production to 500 tons.

Eastern Ice expanded its product line by adding crystal clear cocktail cubes to their offerings. These cubes are delivered throughout Rhode Island and Massachusetts to bars, restaurants, and hotels.