How a basement operation turned 300-pound water blocks into millions
In short: In 2009, Richard Boccato started a business in a bar basement using nothing but chainsaws and clothing irons. Today, his company serves some of the world's most elite culinary destinations by turning filtered tap water into a luxury commodity.
Hundredweight Ice has scaled from a DIY hobby into a multimillion-dollar operation in New York City. The company now harvests over 3 million pounds of ice annually, generating $3 million in revenue in 2025. A luxury market featuring over 20 Michelin-starred restaurants is served by this firm, which shapes 300-pound filtered tap water blocks into bespoke spheres, cubes, and engraved items.
The transition from manual tools to a massive production scale highlights the premium on craft in the food industry. It demonstrates how specialized manufacturing—focusing on specific shapes and aesthetics—can turn a basic utility into a high-margin luxury service for the hospitality sector.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Making $2.7 Million A Year Selling Ice In NYC | Small Business
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