Customers have been flocking to Nonna’s Ice Cream to get their favorite sweet treats in a scene reminiscent of its heyday when the building at 59 Blakeslee Blvd. Dr. E. thrived for decades.

Nino Caruso, who ran Pizza Como USA, purchased the former Boulevard Drive-In and Family Restaurant in the winter. His wife, Darcy, has been busy helping the employees get everything up and running.

Dale and Bernadette Walck of Parryville were among the customers Thursday afternoon.

“It looks good; I like the colors,” said Dale Walck, as he enjoyed his Moosetrack sundae.

Dale added he’s glad to see the building has experienced a rebirth.

“It’s great to see that they’re back (open),” he said. “Lehighton needed something like this again.”

Bernadette agreed.

“The soft ice cream is really good,” said Bernadette, as she licked her chocolate/vanilla twist. “I can’t wait to eat in here.”

Darcy Caruso said last week they held a soft opening with family, followed by a few more nights of soft openings for the public.

Monday marked their first day of full hours, she said. Summer hours are from 1-9:30 p.m. seven days a week.

“It’s going really well; it’s a learning process,” Caruso said. “We have some great kids working there and they’re learning how to make a twist and all the sundaes, and the community has been very patient with us learning all the stock we need to keep it running.”

She said it’s been “very, very busy,” and “definitely exceeded our expectations.”

“And we love hearing everyone’s stories. So many that have come in have worked there at some point in their lives, met their significant other there, had their first date there.

“So many people are excited that we are keeping it going, that it wasn’t turned into a different kind of establishment than serving food, or that it wasn’t demolished.

“We’ve heard so many good stories about the Harlemans, and what a hot spot it was back in the day. We’re hoping to keep the Harlemans’ legacy going.”

On Thursday, they were busy making their meat sauce for the hot dogs, as Caruso noted they will start serving the Boulevard hot dogs Friday.

“We still have some new employees coming on board, and once everyone’s comfortable behind the counter with all the products, we’ll continue to bring on some new items or some old favorites,” she said. “I think our grandkids are enjoying it the most; they’re there everyday for ice cream and toppings.”

Darcy said they serve Leiby’s and Sweet Summits hard ice cream. The CMP and The Meg sundaes seem to be the most popular item, with the traditional banana split has been coming in “at a happy two.”

Nonna’s Ice Cream has about a dozen employees, including their daughters, Kaity Caruso, Lily Caruso and Natalie Wentz. Nino is still there doing everything behind the scenes.

Eventually, Pizza Como will occupy the rest of the building.

“It will still be at least a year or two (for the full transition),” Caruso said.

In the meantime, Pizza Como USA in the Carbon Plaza Mall is still fully operational.

“Torey (Caruso, Nino’s son) and Sergio (Caruso, Nino’s nephew) are doing a great job,” she said. “They are still helping cleaning and remodeling (at Nonna’s Ice Cream) on their days off.”

Darcy said the building at 59 Blakeslee Blvd. Dr. E. has new bathrooms, new equipment, new ceilings, a new roof and is also all newly painted.

“Check out Nonna’s at the newly improved Boulevard,” she said. “Everyone’s really impressed how clean it is, how bright it is, a lot of compliments on the new model. We put a lot into it.”

The Carbon Chamber & Economic Development Corporation will celebrate Nonna’s Ice Cream with a grand opening from 5-6 p.m. July 24. A ribbon cutting will take place at 5:30 p.m.

The Boulevard, which had been open since the 1950s abruptly shuttered its doors on Sept. 1.

The owners posted on Facebook that, due to COVID and the PennDOT 443 road project, they were no longer able to stay open.

Fred and Donna Kemfort had managed the store up until its closure.

The business had previously been operated by William C. “Bill” and Janice Harleman for 43 years.