The ice cream truck is coming

It’s summer time and the ice cream is easy and smooth and oh, so good. The familiar theme of the “The Entertainer” chimes through the speakers of the trucks that meander around Spokane’s neighborhoods signaling that ice cream hath cometh and kids, young and old alike, are happy.

“In the evenings we’ll get as many parents as kids,” said Steve West, owner of Steve West Ice Cream LLC, and one of Spokane’s providers of ice cream novelties.

“Everyone loves ice cream.”

The ice cream truck is akin to its namesake in the warm and fuzzy category. In fact, it’s become an American icon of sorts.

Not only does the sight and sound evoke fond childhood memories of lazy summer days chasing after the ice cream truck but the iconic vehicle also appears in movies, television and in songs.

West has been in the ice cream business for 10 years and has several employees.”Everybody likes them,” he said, referring to his fleet of five reconditioned mail trucks that wind their way down Spokane’s residential streets from May to September.

“Sponge Bob Square Pants with gumball eyeballs is our biggest seller,” West said.

“It’s shaped and colored and pictured just like Sponge Bob and he has gumball eyeballs.”

Other popular treats include strawberry shortcake and super fudge bars.

“Everybody has their own favorite,” West said. .

“Everything on my truck is priced from $1 to $2,” West said with a touch of pride. “I think it’s a good deal.”

Despite the many changes our world has seen, the ice cream truck is a mainstay.

“I think that it will probably never go out of style. It’s a concept that’s worked for a long time and probably always will,” said West.

“It’s something that not only brings back memories for people but also creates new ones for the little ones out there now.

“They’re going to have the same types of feelings and memories.

“As long as there are kids, there’s always going to be a continued business.”