Entrepreneur Ratchets Up Dessert Truck

Editor's note: In an original version of the story, it was reported Melissa Laver owned the Sugar Shack. Her name is Melissa Lauer.

The tiny tots of preschool have been getting extra excited on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. That’s because they know Seekonk’s newest ice cream and snack truck, Sugar Shack, is going to show up.

Twice a week at 3:15 p.m., the children are led in pairs to the purple truck to pick out a snack. Unlike other trucks, they don’t just have to choose ice cream (though they usually do). They can also purchase a variety of cookies, candy bars and drinks.

It’s a Small World owner Detra Aguiar said ice cream treats with name brand cartoon characters are most popular, but not all kids go that route.

“I had cotton candy swirl popsicle,” said young Olivia, who also happened to be wearing some of said popsicle on her T-shirt.

The business is owned by Melissa Lauer, and was conceived just a few short months ago during a conversation with her friend, David Zonfrillo The two used to work together as graphic designers and were both laid off within a few months of each other last year.

“I got sick of not working,” said Lauer of the new venture. “Plus, I like making the kids happy.”

With backgrounds in branding and marketing, Lauer and Zonfrillo started thinking about how they might take a typical business and make innovative changes.

“We’d see [a stand] and say ‘we can do better,’” Zonfrillo said.

Some of the changes they initiated with Sugar Shack that go beyond the usual business model include adding a GPS tracker so fans can always find them, offering choices beyond the typical fare (such as free Band-Aids), listing gluten, dairy and allergy information next to each item, allowing people to use credit cards, keeping up with customers using social media websites and making the truck a visual eye catcher with bold graphics and colors.

They’ve also been doing unique promotions. For every day that the temperature is over 90 degrees, patrons receive a free upgrade in their drink sizes size.

Sugar Shack is roaming the streets daily in East Providence, Barrington and Seekonk. If you want them to come to your neighborhood, you can send them a text, a Tweet or a Facebook shoutout with a request.