Last summer was busy, even when construction on Central Avenue in Florence shut the road through town down for six weeks. With a hot summer predicted, this season looks to be even better for Trudell.

She describes her customer base as a good mix of locals, summer residents, tourists and those just passing through Florence

The Ice Cream Shoppe dates back to 1989, when Danna Trudell’s mother-in-law, Christine Trudell, was looking for something to do.

“I was widowed and all of my children were grown. I had a full-time job in the school system, but I just felt I needed to do something else,” Christine Trudell said.

THE ICE CREAM Shoppe is at 232 Central Ave. in Florence, Wis. (Jim Paul/Daily News photo)

The Ice Cream Shoppe started out modest. Christine Trudell borrowed $5,000 to purchase some used equipment. The shop’s home was one half of a garage.

“The first year, it was so popular, I knew it was good to go,” Christine Trudell said. “The next year we made the whole garage the ice cream shop and it just went on from there.”

In 1999, Danna Trudell was working full-time while raising three children and wanted something that would allow her more time with her kids, so she approached her mother-in-law about purchasing the business.

“It is a happy business, it really is. People are happy when they come in here,” Danna Trudell said. “They have been coming in here for years, they come back and bring their family. We have people that came here when Christine had it, since it opened, and they bring their kids. It is just amazing.”

Helping with the crowds this year will be Trudell’s grandchildren, Kade and Josie Neuens, the fourth generation to work in The Ice Cream Shoppe. Danna Trudell said she enjoys involving the grandchildren in the business — she sees it as a way to spend time together and help them develop a good work ethic.

The Ice Cream Shoppe serves Cedar Crest and Jilbert’s ice cream in nearly 50 flavors, including top-selling Mackinac Island Fudge. Flavors popular with children include bubble gum, cotton candy and Superman, a mix of three different flavors in colors like the comic book hero’s costume. Danna Trudell said she carries sugar-free and non-dairy options as well.

Not only can customers enjoy their ice cream in a sugar cone, waffle cone and waffle bowls The Ice Cream Shoppe is known for, they can also have a shake or sundae like turtle or hot fudge or choose from 20 toppings.

In addition to the ice cream goodies, The Ice Cream Shoppe has a gift shop that sells candy and chocolates, homemade jams, maple syrup, candles, stuffed animals, homemade afghans and Ice Cream Shoppe apparel. Also for purchase are rag rugs that Danna Trudell makes herself, something she picked up from Christine Trudell.

The Ice Cream Shoppe is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily from April through September.