The Pride In Port Committee is pleased to announce that Steve Edelson, owner of SMUSHT, has received the 2024 Community Award for the Annual Pride In Port celebration.
The Community Honoree exemplifies our community’s ideals of displaying warmth, care and kindness. The honoree shows their admiration for the town with returns that are immeasurable.
Edelson is just that person with a list of community events, donations, involvement and contributions that are too long to be listed. It seems that hejust can’t say ‘no’.
Edelson is a humble man who is happy to be involved, but he was concerned he “hasn’t done enough yet” for the community.
He had no experience making ice cream or cookies – he owned a surgical supply company that kept him busy. But after he sold his business in 2018, his wife, Sara, suggested that he either start making ice cream sandwiches or stop talking about it.
A self-taught ice cream and cookie maker, he had always dreamed of having a place where people could come in, build their sandwiches, and “walk out the door, feeling a little bit happier from when they came in.”
If you don’t know, Edelson makes an exorbitant array of homemade ice cream flavors and then puts a generous scoop between homemade cookies and smush! Often, there are rolled toppings around the edges.
It took a few years to perfect his vision, as often the cookies were too thick or not the right diameter. He had to consider the size of the scoop, but in time, he made the eating experience impeccable.
During the COVID pandemic in the summer of 2020, Edelson started his quest selling his sandwiches from his home for pick up and catering. During the earliest evenings of ‘Dine-Outdoors’ in Port, Steve could be seen giving out his ‘Smushteenies,’ as his friends, the Lorber Hoffman Team, would sponsor his venture. The business took off, and he opened his store in May of 2023.
The first duplication of Smusht sandwiches were frozen and wrapped in colorful paper. These quick grabs are still available at the store, but the real treat is customizing your own to eat right there or to take with you.
Among the staples of flavors, mint chip, chocolate, vanilla, Hudson’s, salted caramel and cotton candy, there is always an array of seasonal flavors, where one may find corn, peach, strawberry, lavender, honey, pumpkin, and so many others on the menu. Edelson called all Girl Scouts to come and sell him cookies so that he could incorporate them into the flavor cycle.
Smusht also offers a full array of gluten-free flavors and cookies. Options changes seasonally too, with warm options in the winter, coffee, and brioche rolls – there is a never-ending thought of ideas and creativity.
Giving back to the community is something that Edelson is recognized for throughout Port. Although completely modest and unassuming regarding this aspect of his persona, when asked for a list, it encompasses just about every aspect of town initiatives, including (but not limited to) Littig House, Lady Of Fatima Food Pantry, The Nicholas Center, Be the Rainbow, Relay for Life, HEARTS, Residents Forward, Temple Beth Israel, Archangel Michael, PWFD, Make a Child Smile, Helen Keller, Port Adult Activities Center, Harborfest, Pride Walk, Community Chest and Landmark on Main. The list is immeasurable, but it touches every community member in some way.
Whether community members are “guest scooping’ for their created event (school PTA’s, Schreiber Athletic Teams, or specific events) or Edelson has offered to engage the entire town.
His theory about this aspect is, “Why wouldn’t you – isn’t that what it’s all about? It only makes us all stronger and more compassionate.”
We couldn’t agree more.
When one enters his store at 158 Main St., there is a colorful mural to the left that cannot be overlooked. Edelson explained his passion for the town is depicted through the exquisite sunset that Port Washington’s skies always seem to provide, the dock, water and a sky that exudes the brilliance that we all have come to love.
The most important part is the man and son in a boat, fishing. Edelson emotionally affirms that it displays his Dad and him not so long ago. It is obvious that his passion is not only for ice cream but runs deep for the community.
