The Iggy's Family
It all started with a promise, and from there grew into a vision. Gaetano Gravino, originally a hairstylist, took on part-time work at a doughboy shack in Oakland Beach. What started as a side job quickly turned into an opportunity that ignited his entrepreneurial spirt and energy that continues in his wife and children: Sally, MaryAnn, David, and Guy. When an opportunity to lease the business arose, Gaetano and his wife Sally seized it. In 1989, Iggy’s Doughboy and Chowder House was born.
The name “Iggy’s” was coined after a nickname given to Gaetano by his son David. The car he drove had the license plate “IG-6”, which inspired Dave to call his dad “IG”, growing into “Iggy”. This name now holds a special, sentimental legacy to our name “Iggy’s”. The Gravino’s took the helm with the mission of preserving the spirit of the original stand and the goal of keeping the livelihood of the Midway alive- and they did just that. Shortly before Gaetano passed away, he asked his son David to make him a promise- to carry on with the family business. Despite being a senior at Johnson and Wales University, with an open future ahead, he honored his father’s wishes and in doing so, had a vision. He saw beyond the small shack and the long lines of people waiting for their doughboy fix in the hot summer months. He saw beyond the surrounding area that had fallen in disrepair. He saw the Oakland Beach of long ago transform into the Oakland Beach of the future. The realization of this vision then became an integral part of the already very important plan, and can be seen as you take a stroll down Oakland Beach while you witness first-hand the vision that grew from a promise.
Oakland Beach History
Oakland Beach is steeped in Rhode Island History. Once a summer playground for the wealthy of Rhode Island, the area fell into disrepair following a string of disasters – both natural and otherwise. At the turn of the century, Oakland Beach was home to the Oakland Beach Grand hotel; it was modelled after the famed Ocean House in Westerly and was the only hotel in the area with electricity and running water. A trolley system was built to cater to a community longing for the shores of RI and lacking a proper highway system to take them there.
It didn’t take long for disaster to strike, and a fire demolished the beach side resort. In it’s place, an amusement park was built and sadly suffered the same fate as the hotel, destroyed by the hurricane of 38’. There was an effort made to restore the amusement park that had become a landmark for the community and a getaway for those who took the trolley to enjoy sunny afternoons by the sea. Tragedy struck the area again when the hurricane of 54’ completely demolished the area – taking with it what have become relics of an Oakland Beach of the past: The Wizz Rollercoaster, Sholes Skating Rink, and The Dodgems. Sadly, there was no effort to rebuild the area this time, and eventually it fell into total disrepair. Oakland Beach had been written off by many and had been forgotten by most, except someone who saw the beauty of its history and natural surroundings: David Gravino. Guided by an enchantment of all that Oakland Beach was and the inspiration of all that it can become, he works tirelessly to breathe life back into the area and rewrite it’s future.