Wisconsin ice cream shop distributes free cones in minus 20-degree temps, continuing 87-year-old tradition
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Well, that’s one way to keep morale high — albeit, chilly.
As the powerful polar vortex sweeps the nation, blanketing large portions of the Midwest in dangerously low temperatures, one ice cream shop in Wisconsin continued a quirky 87-year-old tradition and made life a little sweeter for the local community by giving away free ice cream cones.
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The historic ice cream shop has been giving away the free frozen treats when temperatures plummet to such dramatic lows since it was founded in 1932. (iStock / Google Maps)
Mullen's Dairy Bar, in Watertown, has been giving away the free frozen treats when temperatures plummet below 20 degrees Fahrenheit since it was founded in 1932, Fox 26 reported. The festive winter ritual was created by founder Frank Mullen and his sons soon after they opened the place.
Last weekend, they gave away at least 1,250 single dip ice cream cones as temperature first dropped to dramatic lows and arctic winds surged through the region, OnMilwaukee reported.
Today, brothers Adam, Josh and Matt Keepman own and operate the ice cream shop, as per the business’ official website, and agreed that they were “excited” to give away the free cones – their first time doing so – last Saturday.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}“This is the first time we’ve seen this temperature since my brothers and I took over operations in 2016, so I’m not sure when the last time Watertown saw ‐20 degrees,” managing partner and chef Adam said, as per Fox 26.
“Rumor has it that the Mullen’s brothers would make customers eat their free ice cream cones outside. We don’t plan on continuing that part of the tradition,” he joked. “What better way for families to celebrate the cold weather than with a scoop of ice cream!”
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Naturally, ever-vocal Twittizens users had a whole lot to say about the ice-cold promotion.
“This is the most Wisconsin thing I've ever heard,” one Twitter user wrote of the news.
“Why y’all?! Just why?” another wondered.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}“Because we’re already cold and ice cream is delicious,” one dessert lover quickly fired back.
“Because it’s never too cold for ice cream!!!” another agreed. “I miss Wisconsin so much right now.”