Share
Tina Garbarino is just a doll. Petite, pretty and fun to talk to, she adds life to whatever she's doing.
Garbarino was born in Queens, N.Y., and grew up in Long Island. She met her future husband, Anthony, while she was in high school and he was dating her friend.
Their paths crossed again when they were in college. They began doing things together, love grew and they married 49 years ago. Anthony's father had an Italian restaurant that he sold to the industrious young couple. They operated it for 18 years while raising two children.
"When the third one was due, we decided to make a change," Tina Garbarino said. She went back to school and got her early childhood education certification. They opened a day care center that they ran for nine years. During that time, they would often vacation in North Carolina. "We liked the climate, and the cost of living was better here, too," Garbarino said.
Ice cream dream
The Garbarino family moved south four years ago to Waxhaw. Other extended family members followed.
When the opportunity came to buy the Maggie Moo's at Ballantyne Commons East, the Garbarinos jumped on it.
"I like ice cream, and since Maggie Moo's makes everything on the premises, it's always fresh and delicious," Garbarino said. Top sellers are chocolate, vanilla and red velvet cake.
Asked if it's hard not to eat ice cream all day (like I would), Garbarino laughed. "We do have to try the new flavors the company puts out every year, and that's fun," she said. I had to buy a cup.
