Photo by Michele Newbanks Despite the overcast skies, customers still lined up Friday to get lunch at Neader’s Cone and Shake in Marietta.

Ice cream, sundaes and shakes are consumed year round, but never more so than in the spring and summer.

Area shops have recently opened for the season to deliver the sweet treats and fried foods local residents crave.

¯ Jeff and Kristina Neader are the owners of Neader’s Cone and Shake, 219 Pike St., Marietta.

They are open from March 1 to right after Thanksgiving from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.

Jeff said they would be open longer hours, but they need to hire help first. Passersby can often see a line of customers waiting to place their orders.

A Facebook post dated March 21 is a testament to how busy they are.

“Sorry we have closed for the day. Due to an extremely busy week, we have run short on product and staff is totally exhausted,” the post stated. “We will be restocked and ready to roll on Tuesday. Sorry for any inconvenience this has caused anyone. We really appreciate your loyalty and support.”

Jeff said his customers definitely have favorites.

“We have a royal slush that is an ice cream and slush together,” he explained. “We sell lots of milkshakes.”

He noted their fried foods are big sellers, such as fried cauliflower and fried pickles.

“And kids love cheese sticks and cheese bites,” Jeff noted. “We’ve got the $1 hot dog, too.”

¯ The Frostee Shoppe in Belpre, 2115 Washington Blvd., opened March 17 and will be open until Halloween.

Kadyn Henthorne, assistant manager, said they are open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays, closing at 10 p.m. on weekends.

“That’s going to change once school is out,” she said.

“Since most of us are still in high school.”

She was quick to note which menu items are sold the most.

“Our most popular things are footlongs, flurries and milkshakes,” Henthorne replied.

¯ Whit’s Frozen Custard, 335 Second St., Marietta, opens for the season in February, but they have been really busy this spring.

Vanilla and chocolate are favorite flavors, but they also have a daily flavor, such as black raspberry chip, which is their most popular.

“People also love the buckeye, almond joy or caramel praline pecan,” said manager Sydney Westbrook. “We have multiple lemon flavors.”

During the spring and summer, their outdoor seating is often used by those eating their sweet treats.

It isn’t just cones that people order. They love the chocolate dipped cones, along with sundaes, shakes and root beer floats, Westbrook remarked.

They are open from noon to 8 p.m. seven days a week, but in the summer, they will close at 9 p.m.

Westbrook explained they were able to be open all last summer and there was no lack of business.

“We were open last summer and we were just as busy as other summers,” said Westbrook. “As soon as we open in February, we are always busy. It really picks up in the springtime.

“People love custard in general.”

Michele Newbanks can be reached at mnewbanks@mariettatimes.com.