Fire destroyed Cole’s Ice Cream shop Saturday afternoon
The owner of an iconic central Iowa business said he plans to reopen after the building was nearly destroyed in a fire this weekend.
Volunteers spent much of Sunday cleaning up the aftermath of the fire at Cole's Ice Cream, which is famous for its frozen treats and tenderloins. The business is located at the corner of Sixth Avenue and Linn Street in Slater.
Capt. Nick Lennie, with the Story County Sheriff's Office, said the owner of the restaurant, David Sturdy, was smoking a brisket when ashes from the smoker started a shed on fire. Flames from the shed then spread to the restaurant building, which sustained smoke damage.
"Those memories are priceless," Sturdy said. "By the time I got out here, I couldn't stop it."
Cole's Ice Cream is named after the owner's 11-year-old son. "I bought this place 30 years ago, me and my son, Brandon. He was killed in action in 2004," Sturdy said.
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