How 'cool' is this? Dairy Frost reopens

SANDUSKY — Pete Hunter still vividly recalls the scrumptious first tastes — ginger, cinnamon, vanilla and other tasty flavors coming together in a cup — of a creamy root beer float he first consumed at 6 years old. "It was so good," said Hunter, who often shared one with his brother, Ozeal, during his childhood. "It was something completely new to us," Hunter added. "We didn't have a lot of money, so when we did come here, it was a real treat for us." Over the years, Hunter remained a regular customer at Dairy Frost on Cleveland Road (U.S. 6) across from Sandusky Plaza. Like many others, he was equal parts shocked and saddened in spring 2018 when Dairy Frost, a popular ice cream stand operated by the Klein family, closed after 50 years in business. "I kept thinking this would be an awesome place to get for myself and my children," said Hunter, a father of four, revealing his thought process when the business shuttered. "We can create some good times and some job openings along the way." Hunter reopened Dairy Frost, keeping its iconic name, earlier this month. He serves as president for a local investment group that now owns the ice cream stand. Customers should definitely notice some differences, but some aspects won't change. For instance, he's keeping the landmark-like sign posted above the square-shaped building. "It's still the same great quality," Hunter said. "Right now, we are not the fastest, as far as service, because we are working through the kinks — please be patient with us — but we still offer the old-time favorites, like root beer floats, malts, ice cream, chili cheese dogs and more." Among the new features: whole pizzas, chicken wings, fried rolled ice cream and gyros. People can also order their food by walking up to the stand or cruising up to a drive-thru window. "Everything is made fresh to order," Hunter said. "Come down and see us."