A La Crosse building standing for more than one hundred years, is home to one of La Crosse’s most unique businesses. We’ve got the scoop on this Mom and Pop sweet shop.
Handmade ice cream and handmade chocolate are both part of what Dave Edwards says Ranison Ice Cream and Candy is all about.
"Usually peak summer time we're making anywhere between 450 to 500 gallons a week of ice cream," says Edwards.
This building has been a fixture on La Crosse’s south side since the 1870s. And since 1933, Super Ice Cream has been serving candy and ice cream, even in the dead of winter.
"A lot of people still call it ‘Super’ every once in a while. People have been coming here. They remember nickel cones and stuff like that."
He says people come from all over the area to sample his treats. But to this day, even in the winter, Edwards says his most loyal customers come from his neighborhood.
"We've got a wide range of customers. We're in a residential area, which is nice. We've got a lot of kids that ride their bikes here with a dollar in hand and we've got a kid's candy case with actual penny candy in it. They can get a lot of candy for a dollar."
He says his store makes more than 50 different and unique kinds of ice cream. And if a customer has a suggestion, he's more then willing to try it.
Recently the store started producing cranberry ice cream, to help promote the state of Wisconsin.
"I'm always willing to take a certain kind of ice cream that somebody thinks would taste good and we try it. We listen to our costumers and if somebody wants peanut butter in our banana ice cream, we're always willing to try it."
Edwards' sweet tooth has led the store in many directions and he says anything is possible in the future.
"New flavors, we're always willing to try. I mean, who knows, summers coming up. Something will come about I'm sure."
Ranison Ice Cream and Candy is located at 706 16th Street near Market Street in La Crosse.