Scoops of luck and love: George Balan’s artisanal gelato business – from Romania to Nice and a global vision

From the working-class neighborhood of Ferentari in Bucharest to the sun-soaked streets of Nice, George Balan's journey in the world of artisanal gelato is one of love, luck, and perseverance. After years of dedication, his business, Gelato D'Amore, became a beloved ice cream venue on the French Riviera. Today, after being forced to pause the business for a while, he's working towards reopening his shop in Nice and taking the brand global.

George Balan's path to becoming the proud owner of Gelato D'Amore in Nice, France, has been shaped by love and luck, he says. Raised in Ferentari, "the most dystopian neighborhood of Bucharest," George learned early on the value of perseverance, family, and community. He credits much of his success to the unparalleled love and unwavering support of his parents and loved ones, as well as the fortune of meeting key life partners along the way.