Today we’d like to introduce you to Ricky Fitzhugh.
Hi Ricky, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Over two decades, Ricky grew Baltimore-based Rosedale Ice into one of the Mid-Atlantic’s largest commercial ice companies. In 2021, he sold the business to a publicly traded company operating the Reddy Ice brand. After previously acquiring two ice studios (Ice Krystals and Ice Sculptures Unlimited), Ricky bought Ice Lab in 2020 to expand the company’s capacity to deliver custom ice sculptures, bars and drink luges for corporate functions, festivals, weddings and special events nationwide. Under Ricky’s leadership, we’ve added a second production and freezing facility and launched Luxury Rocks, our artisanal cocktail ice division that produces clear, over-sized cubes for the hospitality and event industries. We have recently started shipping our cocktail ice all over the country including deliveries as far as Colorado.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Of course, there are always struggles in owning a small business. COVID-19 was definitely a rough patch in the cocktail ice industry when bars and restaurants shut down. The effects are even still being felt across some parts of the industry today.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Ice Lab specializes in transforming ice into art and unforgettable experiences. We create custom ice sculptures, artisanal cocktail ice, and large-scale ice installations for events, festivals, hospitality venues, and private celebrations. From hand-cut cocktail cubes to massive sculptures, bars, and drink luges, our work blends creativity, craftsmanship, and engineering to turn frozen water into something extraordinary.
What sets Ice Lab apart is the combination of artistry and precision behind everything we produce. Our team works with crystal-clear 300-pound blocks of ice and uses both advanced tools and traditional carving techniques to create detailed sculptures, custom logos, and one-of-a-kind displays.
We’re also proud to be one of the East Coast’s largest producers of artisanal cocktail ice. Our clear, dense cubes and specialty ice, including engraved cocktail cubes and floral spheres, are designed specifically for craft cocktails, helping bartenders and mixologists elevate the drinking experience while highlighting premium spirits.
Ice Lab works with a wide range of clients including Michelin-rated restaurants, luxury resorts, craft cocktail bars, wedding planners, corporations, and destination marketing organizations. In addition to private and corporate events, we collaborate with cities and event producers to create large-scale ice festivals, carving demonstrations, and public installations that draw visitors and transform communities into winter destinations.
Beyond ice, our team is known for seasonal sculptural work as well—especially our professional pumpkin carving. Each fall, we create highly detailed carved pumpkins for festivals, businesses, private events, and public displays. These carvings range from intricate portraits and logos to large-scale installations, bringing the same artistic approach and attention to detail that we apply to our ice sculptures.
What we’re most proud of is our ability to turn something simple—ice—into something memorable. Whether it’s a centerpiece sculpture at a wedding, custom cocktail cubes with a brand’s logo, or a massive public festival installation, our goal is always the same: to create experiences that surprise people and make events unforgettable.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
My first Oriole’s game is one of my favorite childhood memories. I would often go to games with my uncle when I was probably not quite 10 years old which played a big role in my love for sports events. I have been a season ticket holder for Baltimore Ravens and Washington Capitals, and some of my favorite memories were made in those stadiums. Ice Lab has actually done events with the Washington Capitals for their 50th anniversary and Baltimore Ravens in the past few years, and we are doing a fun surprise with the Orioles on opening day 2026 so it’s kind of a full circle moment that my business gets to be a part of some of my favorite things.
Pricing:
- Pricing is usually custom based on the project
- $2 per unit for engraved cocktail cubes
Contact Info:
- Website: https://icelabusa.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/icelabusa/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IceLabUSA
