Cool treats, cool truck
By KALEY CONNER
As the familiar jingle of children's melodies rang through the evening air, neighbors of all ages rushed to the street, money in hand.
It's a tradition that's been missing in Hays for more than a decade, and many residents have been eager to welcome an ice cream truck back to town this summer.
"I think it's a good thing to have for the kids," said Jade Staab, whose 18-month-old son, Cooper, was chewing on a small push-up ice cream treat. "It's a nice summer tradition to have an ice cream truck in town."
The "Brain Freeze" ice cream truck is the brainchild of Darin Kaiser and Molly Becker, Hays residents who were looking for a small business their entire family could get involved in.
With Kaiser behind the wheel, Becker helped the couple's three children: Cade Becker, 5, Cohen Kaiser, 5, and Jersey Kaiser, 8, distribute ice cream to the crowd.
"We just kind of wanted a little family business where the kids could learn how to earn their own money and help the community," Becker said.
Growing up in Hays, Becker remembers the days when ice cream trucks were a common sight. Nostalgia has proven good for business. Many of the family's regular clients are adults, she said with a chuckle.
"Our kids this age ... don't realize what it is because it hasn't been around for so long," Becker said. "Now, the adults. We have adults that chase us down just as much as the kids, if not more."
The couple had entertained the idea of running an ice cream truck last summer, and that idea took flight this year when they found a vehicle large enough to accommodate the business. They equipped a handicap-accessible van with a large freezer, covered the outside with colorful decals and hit the road.
"It was really fun just finding it," Kaiser said. "We did all the work ourselves."
The business offers a variety of packaged frozen novelties, with 22 items on the menu, along with some candy and beverages.
Most of the older customers opt for traditional favorites such as fudge bars or drum sticks, while the younger generation is enthused with treats shaped like SpongeBob SquarePants, Kaiser said.
"So we try to keep it balanced," Kaiser said of the inventory, "and made sure it's all in pictures so the kids could just point."
Hours are flexible, but the family usually runs the truck from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. weeknights and weekend afternoons from 1:30 to 4:30. They usually begin their runs with stops at local playgrounds and try to alternate between the east and west parts of town.
The truck also can be booked for appearances at special events, such as birthday parties.
The family plans to operate the business again next year. In fact, those operating it said they're having just as much fun as their customers.
"It's a positive thing. You never see a grumpy face," Becker said. "If you've had a bad day at work or whatever, you get in that thing and everybody's smiling and happy to see you."