Retro Mobile Ice Cream Shop Launched By Somerset County College Student

PEAPACK AND GLADSTONE, NJ — It was a love of ice cream shops and a lack of availability that inspired Claudia Schluter to launch her new mobile family-run business called Cream of the Crop.

Her sweet journey into entrepreneurship began when Schluter, of Peapack and Gladstone and a rising college sophomore at Monmouth University, came home this past summer and needed work.

She wanted to "start something people in town could go to and have ice cream... and offer something mobile for events and weddings."

Schluter came up with the concept of starting a mobile version with a trailer instead of a truck.

Along with her dad and family friend, they found a dilapidated horse trailer at the Essex Hunt Club and restored it in three months.

"I wanted something unique and wanted a trailer. That's when I came across the horse trailer. It was retro from the 90s and exactly what I wanted," said Schluter.

She is focusing on hardscooped and not prepackaged items. Her menu offers plenty of traditional dairy options but is also very unique.

Inspired by her mom's strict diet, who is a vegan, Schluter also has many plant-based options.

Schluter said she caters to all dietary restrictions including regular dairy, coconut-based for people who can't have milk, gluten-free, and a sugar-free option.

Some of the issues with some vegan food is that you can tell it is imitation so Schluter wanted something that was very tasty.

"With our ice cream, I tried it and you can't tell, it's delicious honestly," said Schluter.

Cream of the Crop has a variety of flavor options as well that change seasonally including pumpkin pie, maple ice, banana cream pie, cinnamon churro, sweet and salty caramel pretzel, bourbon on the rocks, and a rose-flavored ice cream.

The classics such as vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry are also available.

Schluter also has two Australian Shepherds and created a line of ice cream for the four-legged friends such as cheese and bacon.

"All of the dogs who have tried it love it," said Schluter.

She held a soft opening in late June for her neighbors and has since hosted a corporate event of 300 people.

Cream of the Crop can be booked for private events such as birthday parties and corporate events. The trailer can also be found at local food truck festivals and will be at the Burnt Mills Cider Mill in Bedminster every Wednesday.

"It's honestly really satisfying but also a fun job. It doesn't feel like work for me… it's just nice to meet people from around the area and see how excited they are to get ice cream and support a new business," said Schluter.

While Schluter is the mastermind behind the trailer, her parents are there for support and help as scoopers when needed.

"We are proud of her and wanted to support her entrepreneurial spirit," said Schluter's mom Pamela.

Currently, Schluter is pursuing psychology in college but plans to change it to business management due to the success of her ice cream business.

"It's been a wild ride but super gratifying," said Schluter.

For more information follow Cream of the Crop on Facebook or Instagram or visit creamofthecropnj.com.

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