Mitchell A. Sturzewski
Reporter
TOMAHAWK – Sundaes, malts and heaping ice cream cones are back at The Windmill Ice Cream Shoppe, located at 1972 Co Hwy L in Tomahawk, as of Wednesday, April 24.
The April date marks opening day of the iconic ice cream shop’s 27th season.
Owners Charlie and Pat Berg purchased the ice cream shop in 1993 and it was operating as an ice cream shop previously as well. The Windmill Ice Cream Shoppe has served as a travel destination for vacationers and those within driving distance for years.
“We are lucky enough to be on lists as one of the top ice cream shops in the state and we are really grateful to have that kind of publicity,” Russell Berg said.
While it is already a must-visit spot in the summer, the Bergs continue to add new things to build on their strong legacy. Last year they upped their ice cream options from 16 to 28 flavors of Kemps and Cedar Crest ice cream. Berg said both came out with new flavors to keep things interesting. In fact, a new flavor became their most popular flavor last year with Chocolate Peanut Butter Revel claiming the crown. Vanilla Peanut Better Revel will join the slate of choices this year. Among the new Kemps flavors are Unicorn Power (Pink and purple cherry-flavored ice cream with a sour blue raspberry revel, ribbons of white frosting, and birthday cake flake pieces with sparkles), “Chocoholic” and “I’m Your Huckleberry.”
Cedar Crest also will have new flavors this year, including the annual selection made by state 4-H clubs.
Each year state 4-H clubs choose a favorite flavor and this year’s choice is Wisconsin Campfire S’more, which is a graham cracker flavored ice cream crushed with peanut butter cups and marshmallow swirl. There will also be a PB&J flavor with peanut butter ice cream and grape jelly swirl.
Another addition this year will be three sorbet options (lemon, raspberry and mango) for anyone with lactose issues.
“We thought it was a must add because that’s a bummer for families with a child that has the issue, or for everyone when they are enjoying ice cream and little Johnny can’t have a cone,” Berg said. The Bergs are excited for another year of serving local and traveling ice cream seekers.
“Mom and dad have always ran this to be an affordable place for families to spend time together,” Russell Berg said. “They know from raising three boys themselves, that it can be expensive to do fun things, so they always want to give a good deal with heaping scoops of ice cream.”