As primarily a music website, we must mention as the ultimate in zeal the “Ice Cream Man,” or in this case women, and their old fashioned delivery truck that started serving Hudson and then branched out with fondness to other communities.
The truck in the size and shape, with colorful decals, of that driven by the postal carrier, but bringing even better items for you to enjoy. The carousel tune it plays, much like tinkling of a bell, announces its arrival well before you see it, in a delightfully understated and never loud way, as it toddles along slowly like one of the youngest of its patrons, building the anticipation of its arrival starting when it is still a block or so away — so even if in your house you have plenty of time to slip on your summer shoes and flag it down.
Principle owner Karen Storie is outrageously friendly — in a good way. We’ll let her tell the story, about the miles and smiles the truck has logged in service, from here.
“I bought the business from a friend four years ago. I now run this business (as a family affair) with the help of my four daughters (cool names of Madi, Kerrigan, Kellan and Brekkyn). We have expanded our business and are now running eight routes during the week. We do routes in most of the surrounding communities including New Richmond, River Falls, North Hudson, Somerset, Roberts, Stillwater, Oak Park Heights, Bayport and Lake Elmo.” They also do many community events with local schools, as well as many employee and customer appreciation events.
The business runs three months during the summer. During the school year, Storie works as a special education teacher in the New Richmond School District.
“I think the biggest thing about our business is the customer service,” she says. “Myself, along with my other employees, really try to find a connection with all of our customers. We want the ice cream truck to be a part of their summer time memories. It is our belief that everyone; young and old should have the opportunity to feel like the ice cream is just for them. We always try to go above and beyond for all that we serve.
“I love the many things we hear throughout our routes and events:
— This reminds me of my childhood.
— This is the best day ever.
— Our summer doesn’t officially start till you come to visit.
— You are a staple of our summer.
— We chased you (hey, it happens) because you are the best.
— Thank you for bringing happiness into our summer.
— My child counts down the day till you come every week.
“A little boy told his mom as he was walking away the other day, ‘I love that lady,’ or the one little boy, said ‘I never seen a ice cream truck person as good as you.’
“We have become part of our customers’ families watching babies being born and then growing,” Storie says. “We celebrate wins of their soccer games. We watch broken arms happen. We feel sad when our customers move away and are happy when we meet new customers move in. We watch customers pass away, cry with their spouses and think of them when we sell their favorite ice cream treat to someone else. We truly are lucky with how we have turned from a business to being a part of something greater.”
And it all started with ice cream. Cream del a cream.