When it's So Hot, You Could Scream—For Ice Cream

Forget thermometers, as temperatures continue to soar, there's perhaps no better way to measure the heat than checking out the size of the crowd at the nearest ice cream shop.

Carvel of West Caldwell and Gelotti Ice Cream of Caldwell are two local destinations that have seen a growing crave for frozen treats this summer.

Carvel owner Diane Van Syckel and Gelotti owner Russel Bleeker both pointed out that while personal conncoctions are on the rise, cakes have been a major thrust of the business recently.

The owners also admitted that they both do in fact eat ice cream every day.

While it appears cookies 'n' cream, cookie dough and classic vanilla are among customers' favorite flavors, soft-serve and hard ice cream seem to be equally popular. 

However, Bleeker pointed out that there was one flavor that simply melted.

"Coconut hard ice cream," he said, "without a doubt."

For a closer look at the ice cream craze at Carvel, which has been at its current Bloomfield Avenue location for more than 30 years, and Gelotti, the former home of a Baskin-Robbins, check out the associated video where surprise guest "Carvel Cone Man" makes a special appearance.

Download the movie