You might hear the unmistakable hum of soft-serve dreams rolling through Savannah these days—and chances are, it’s The Cone Ranger, Ardsley Park’s very own family-run ice cream trailer, serving up joy one swirl at a time.

Helmed by Austin Yocco and his father Dean, The Cone Ranger is more than just a mobile dessert stop—it’s a multigenerational passion project born from a family that believes in good food, good company, and a little bit of adventure.

Austin, a longtime Ardsley Park resident (18 years and counting, on and off), came up with the idea during a trip to St. Andrews, Scotland. Inspired by friends selling soft serve on a blustery beach day—“think Scottish summer meets South Georgia winter”—he and Dean returned to Savannah with a plan. Noticing that quality soft serve was oddly hard to find here, they decided to fill the void with Southern charm, sweet cones, and a Western flair.

“Howdy, partna!” is how Austin might greet you from behind the counter, or perhaps just cruising down 53rd Street. The Cone Ranger has quickly become a local favorite, not only for its generous chocolate-vanilla swirls (don’t miss the Reese’s hardening sauce, a crowd favorite!) but for the smiling faces behind the counter.

It’s a true family affair: Austin, a seasoned marine engineer who spends time in the Caribbean maintaining and repairing ocean vessels, now splits his time between shipyards and soft serve. Kathie, Austin’s mom, helps with administration and cheerleading, while Taylor, Austin’s sister, is eagerly preparing to jump in—ice cream scoop in hand—after welcoming her first baby this June.

Maggie, the family’s sweet 12-year-old mini schnauzer, rounds out the crew, likely cheering from the sidelines at family gatherings, where treasured recipes and time together are the real traditions.

Austin’s favorite creation? A classic chocolate-vanilla twist in a waffle cone, dipped in Reese’s sauce and topped with Oreo crumbs. But he’s always experimenting—thanks to fan suggestions via Instagram, The Cone Ranger may soon feature matcha (a favorite from a trip to Japan) and other global flavors.

While the business is still young, the joy it’s bringing is timeless. “There’s nothing like seeing the look on someone’s face when you hand over a giant cone,” Austin says. “We’re starting to build a little following—and that means lots of familiar faces and new friends. Can’t beat that.”

So next time you’re out and about in the neighborhood, keep an eye out for the Cone Ranger trailer. Whether you're 6 or 60, nothing says summer quite like a perfectly swirled scoop from neighbors who really do bring the sweet life home.