Ice bests fire in Riverhead
Ice cream parlor opens doors nine days after blaze
2 comments below
Snowflake Ice Cream Shoppe owners Carolyn and Stu Feldschuh celebrate the reopening of their Main Street shop with an ice cream cone toast Saturday afternoon.
Stu Feldschuh, who has owned the shop with his wife, Carolyn, since 1988, said that only one machine was damaged in the fire, though many supplies were destroyed. The fire broke out in the bathroom of the West Main Street ice cream parlor Feb. 25, damaging its roof. No injuries were reported.
What might be some sad news to ice cream lovers is that Mr. Feldschuh had to throw out all the ice cream, candies, cones and cakes that were inside the store, though not because they melted. "All the ice cream was smoke-damaged," he said. "Everything we store in the building we threw out."
But after sanitizing all machines and whipping up new batches of cherry pistachio, pumpkin pie and French vanilla, to name a few, the Feldschuhs were ready to welcome customers again. "We're still working hard to pull it all together," said Ms. Feldschuh.
The owners said the community has shown an outpouring of support for the store after the blaze, both in person and on its Facebook page.
"They want to know what they can do [to help]," Ms. Feldschuh said.
Mr. Feldschuh credited the town for helping him to quickly get the permits needed to reopen, and the fire department for its quick response. "The fire department was great," he said. "There was really no [permanent] damage."
Last weekend's pleasant weather helped business at the shop, where a steady stream of customers lined up on Saturday afternoon.
Harriet Anreder, who works at Peconic Bay Medical Center, said she visits Snowflake because it's the best around. "It's famous," she said while enjoying a plain vanilla cone with chocolate sprinkles.
John Pottier of Hampton Bays said he stopped by while out shopping to treat himself and his wife, Rachael. "It's on the way home from Home Depot," he said. "It's better than Carvel."
Although most patrons said they were just happy the store was back in business, not everyone was so understanding.
One anonymous customer, who obviously didn't know about the fire, left a note on the ice cream store's door Friday chiding the owners for failing to sate his sweet tooth when they were closed last week.
"People are serious about ice cream," Mr. Feldschuh said.
vchinese@timesreview.com
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2 comments found
Yea Snowflake : 3/14/2010
All the best.
Time to make the ice cream : 3/11/2010
Congrats Stu, Carol, the 'Flake crew, and the Riverhead Fire Dept. vollies on a quick save of this East End landmark. Wishing Snowflake much success in the upcoming season. Fond memories of my eldest's first ice out being at Snowflake.
--Mitch Hagler
Richard York Shoes, Southampton
