Beloved Jersey Shore Ice Cream Stand Begins Another Summer After Nearly Five Decades
A popular Jersey Shore family-run ice cream shop has begun another busy summer season, extending a nearly 50-year tradition. On Friday, the Custard Hut in Somers Point began its 49th year delivering frozen sweets to locals and tourists.
The business is at 710 New Road on Route 9, near the Garden State Parkway southbound exit popular with Ocean City tourists. The stand is a summer staple for families and beachgoers seeking cool drinks due to its accessible position. The location has been a seasonal stop for visitors for decades.
Classic ice cream delights have made the Custard Hut famous among loyal and new consumers. Ten soft-serve and premium hand-dipped ice cream varieties are available. Traditional sundaes and homemade water ice give families many summer dessert options.
Rich Plum and Lou DeScioli opened the first store in 1977. It became a neighborhood landmark where generations of families stopped for ice cream after a day at the beach or when passing through the Jersey Shore.
The founding family still runs the business. Rich and Lucia Plum operate the business, while their kids Jason and Justin help out. They keep the shop a multi-generation family business, which is unique in tourist areas where giant chains compete with independent companies.
Maintaining family ownership has kept the Custard Hut classic and welcoming. The shop is popular with families, kids, and locals for ice cream in a calm setting. Many longtime tourists compare it to New Jersey coastal town summer evenings with community ice cream vendors.
Business extended beyond its original location. The family has another Custard Hut in Ocean View, Cape May County, in addition to Somers Point. In the summer, both venues serve clients everyday during Jersey Shore tourism’s peak months.
The seasonal opening is crucial for locals and beachgoers. When the Custard Hut returns each summer, many Jersey Shore residents and visitors know summer has arrived.
Both shops are open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. during the season. Families coming from the beach, nighttime visitors, and late-night dessert aficionados can enjoy a treat.
In its 49th summer, the Custard Hut family continues a tradition that has united generations of consumers to Jersey Shore culture: savoring ice cream on a sunny summer day.
Sources
Local New Jersey community reporting
Business information provided by Custard Hut operations and location details in Somers Point and Cape May County
