EAST ARLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – A Bennington County ice cream maker is helping folks beat the heat this week.
“Ice cream makes people smile and makes people happy. It’s that one sweet treat that they’re willing to indulge in,” said Christina Wilcox, the owner of East Arlington-based Wilcox Ice Cream.
The Farias came all the way from Massachusetts for a motorcycle ride and a scoop. “We had the day off, thought we come take a ride and get some great ice cream,” said Holly Faria.
With summer-like weather in full swing, locals like Tom Huncharek say they’re already seeing an influx of visitors. “Usually they’ll enjoy Lake Shaftsbury. They’ll take a cool dip up there and then after they’re done with that, they’ll bring their family members in here and get another cool dip of ice cream,” he said.
Wilcox churns out dairy and non-dairy treats from their factory. The plant was recently awarded a roughly $200,000 state grant for a new compressor that will allow them to increase the production of an ice cream recipe that has been passed down from generations.
“My father would say you design the ice cream,” Wilcox said. “What your sweetness level is. My dad liked something not so sweet — that was important to him. He wanted to take you on a journey of tasting that ice cream.”
“I saw my grandfather working so hard his whole life. My aunt, my dad — it means a lot to keep it going,” said Cole Wilcox, who takes pride in helping folks cool off on sweltering days like this. “I know on a day like today, I know they’re especially looking for our product to cool them down.”
“We see them having our product and we just smile. We hope that people will put down their phones, have a bowl of ice cream, sit down with your family, and just talk to one another,” Wilcox said.
Whether it’s from the freezer at the grocery store or a local stand, Vermonters are thinking of sweet ways to beat the heat.