Free Italian Ice at Rita's

The Ritaโ€™s Italian Ice in Fells Point where the accused ring leader of a cocaine ring hid cash is on the auction block. As first reported by the Baltimore Business Journal, the US Marshals are offering an opportunity to own a piece of this infamous piece of Baltimore real estate.

The Ritaโ€™s at 2033 Eastern Ave. was in the spotlight after nine people, including alleged leader Kedrick Arnold Jenifer, were arrested for their role in the โ€œJeniferโ€ cocaine ring. The indictment alleged that Jenifer owned a stake in Flavor Factory LLC, which owned the Ritaโ€™s. Jenifer stashed money there, the feds say.

Judging by the happy faces weโ€™ve seen around the stand this summer, the business has continued to operate this summer. A flier on the US Marshals website says the buyer gets โ€œthe franchise agreement, leasehold interest, and all personal property and fixtures located on the premises relating to the operation of the restaurant business.โ€ The minimum bid is $160,000, and the sale must be approved by Ritaโ€™s.

Check out the flier for all the details. Just think: Whenever anyone asks how you got into the Italian Ice business, youโ€™ll always have a story.

Stephen Babcock is the editor of Technical.ly Baltimore and an editor-at-large of Baltimore Fishbowl.