Awesome Cones Have Arrived in Ferndale, Thanks to Treat Dreams

has become well-known for its amazing ice cream flavors, but the store is looking to take things a step further.

Last week, Treat Dreams updated its Facebook page: “Changing the face of lunch ... Treat Dreams style … July 1.”

Since the posting of the mysterious Facebook update, customers have been playing the guessing game to discover what Treat Dreams had in store. Wait no longer: Treat Dreams is serving Awesome Cones for lunch!

Treat Dreams owner Scott Moloney has come up with an innovative way to combine his love for ice cream cones with lunch food. Customers will have the option of three cone flavors: Basil Pesto Parmesan, Spicy Cheddar Cornbread or the classic waffle cone. Patrons can then fill that cone with lunchable material. Current filling options include pulled pork with coleslaw, cherry chicken salad or mac and cheese from .

“I really wanted to make sure we had a vegetarian option, which is where the mac and cheese came from,” said Moloney. “And I thought that it would be a good idea to have something cold to offer, so I went with the cherry chicken salad. The pulled pork is another warm option for people that enjoy meat.”

Moloney has plans to expand and rotate the filling flavors in time, with new flavors being introduced on a monthly basis. His hope is to incorporate local businesses into his new menu as much as possible.

“I'm talking to several companies to see if we can work out a deal to include their signature products in the Awesome Cones,” said Moloney. “I'd love to do as much co-branding as I can. I'll include the businesses' names on the menu board and make sure people are aware of other companies in the area.”

Moloney has put in a lot of thought in to the new lunch menu. After researching ideas and recipes online, he realized that this is a very unique and original idea. There is only one location in the nation that sells a similar a product: a food truck in Portland, OR.

The new menu is actually Treat Dreams' second attempt at lunch. In the winter, the store offered paninis, soup and grilled cheese.

“That idea just didn't mesh with the store, though," Moloney said. "I really wanted something new that would complement our products and, hopefully, bring in a crowd that might not usually stop in.”

The previous menu options took several minutes for food preparation. Awesome Cones can be prepared in the same time it would take to fill an ice cream cone. The cones and fillings will be made fresh every day in the store.

“I'm looking forward to the Awesome Cones because it's going to take a lot less time than the sandwich menu did,” said Sabrina Daley, Treat Dreams employee. “It'll be interesting, but I think they'll catch on."

The cherry chicken salad and mac and cheese options will cost $5.99. Other options will vary in price.

Treat Dreams will offer special promotions for the first week of Awesome Cones. With each Awesome Cone purchase, customers will receive a soda and bag of chips. And to sweeten the deal, each purchase will earn customers an entry in the store's contest for a summer's worth of free ice. Three lucky winners will receive a free pint of ice cream every week through September.