Walk-Up Ice Cream Window Now Officially Open In Vernon

VERNON, CT — It was a drive-up, now it's a walk up — for ice cream.

Anyway, the concept has officially opened on Route 30 in Vernon.

After a sneak peek off a special vendor permit last Sunday, Frankie G's ice cream shop was open for business Friday. Frank Guadagnino has taken over an old Dunkin' drive-up window (Dunkin' moved next door) at the 448 Hartford Turnpike Shell Station and made it a soft-serve shop with a walk-up window and shaded picnic tables.

Guadagnino has a manufacturing background and said, as the years went by, "Everyone started to become miserable." Then, one day, he was tired and miserable and needed to unwind.

He went out for soft-serve.

"Who doesn't like ice cream? Ice cream puts a smile on your face," he said.

Guadagnino said he grew up liking soft serve and ramped up his desire to open up a shop after a family member reminded him of that vacant drive-up window.

And the ice cream is more high-octane than some shops. He serves the 10 percent milk fat variety bought directly from the HP Hood factory.

One bite and the difference is obvious.

"This is real ice cream," Guadagnino said.

In honor of National Ice Cream Day last Sunday, town of Vernon and North Central Health District officials issued a special vendor permit for Frankie G's to open for one day.

A total of 605 people showed up for a sneak peek free cone.

"Bring your friends, grab a cone, and enjoy the sunshine at our picnic tables," Guadagnino said.

Business will be cash only for a brief period of time until credit card service can be set up, Guadagnino said.