By Kate Hill
Staff Writer
This spring, the Clonan siblings of Cazenovia teamed up to create “Lickety Split Frozen Treats,” an ice cream truck business operated out of a red 1967 Chevy pickup.
Caitlin, 21, Carson, 20, Lily, 15, and Luke, 13, conceived the idea and developed their business plan while taking online classes at home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We decided to start an ice cream truck business because we always thought there should be one in Caz, and none of us knew what to do for summer jobs because of COVID,” Caitlin said. “We also had a lot of free time to plan and fix up an old truck during quarantine, and we realized that we each had something to contribute. And honestly, when we first started planning, we had some unusually warm spring weather and we thought [about] all the kids stuck at home and how much fun it would be to brighten up their days with ice cream.”
While Caitlin has emerged as the business leader, tackling both the design work and marketing, each of the Clonan siblings has played a key role in Lickety Split’s development.
Carson took on the task of converting the family pickup, while Lily took charge of social media and sales, and Luke assumed the role of salesman.
“All of us working together has been great, we’ve each been able to use our strengths for different parts of the business,” Caitlin said.
According to Caitlin, the truck was in need of several upgrades, including a new transmission and carburetor. It also required the addition of a cover, an electrical connection for the freezers, and side rails to hold up signs displaying the truck’s offerings.
“It was more work than I expected, but at least it’s a cool classic truck,” said Carson.
Caitlin, a rising senior at Cazenovia College, is majoring in illustration and animation. Carson will be a junior at Cornell University, where he is majoring in atmospheric science.
The eldest sibling commented that although neither she nor Carson has taken any business classes yet, they have received guidance and assistance from their parents, who are both entrepreneurs. She also noted that Lily, who just finished 10th grade, completed an entrepreneurship class this past year.
“It’s been great to see [my kids] work together on a project that they all enjoy and that fulfills a need in the community,” said Sheila Clonan.
The Clonans also received assistance from several other Cazenovia community members, who helped the business acquire the necessary permits and equipment.
“I have been working with [Mayor] Wheeler from the beginning to obtain a village permit,” Caitlin said. “I had Mr. Wheeler as a teacher and cross country coach in high school, so it was easy to ask him for help. We also needed a health permit from Madison County. Cazenovia College offered their commercial freezer and the guidance of Mrs. McPherson from the dining department.”
On June 19, the Clonans debuted their truck by delivering free ice cream to local first responders.
The siblings planned stops at CAVAC, Heritage Family Medicine, and the Village of Cazenovia Police Department on Friday, and the Cazenovia Fire Department the following Wednesday.
“Our soft opening went really well,” Caitlin said. “The first responders and healthcare workers loved our idea and, of course, the free ice cream. We even went up to Cazenovia Animal Hospital, because they took care of our dog during COVID. We were glad to give back to the community after so long in quarantine . . . Since the idea came to us because of the COVID crisis, we thought that serving the front-line workers would be appropriate.”
The business officially launched on Saturday, June 20.
According to Caitlin, the siblings are taking precautions to help keep their customers and themselves safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are wearing masks and gloves while handing out ice cream and behind the scenes while stocking our freezers,” she said. “We have wipes and sanitizer on the truck, and our customers are asked to maintain social distance when approaching the truck or waiting in line.”
Lickety Split is currently offering pre-packaged ice cream novelties from Byrne Dairy, such as the Cookiewich, the Choco Taco, and the Spongebob pop.
To learn more about the business or to track the truck’s location, visit licketysplitfrozentreats.com or follow Lickety Split on Facebook and Instagram.
