The warmer weather means the time has come for ice
cream. Amber Rivera of Custard Corner & Grill scoops up one of the first cones for a customer on a Sunday
afternoon in May. The custard stand, owned by husband and wife Mike and Rene
Wolasz for over 30 years has been a favorite of
many on the Lower West Side. Both are longtime West
Side residents. “We have regulars every week. It’s a tradition on the West Side coming here,”
Mike said. The custard stand, at Porter Avenue and 7th Street, is open from April to September. The
establishment is known for being crowded on sunny days. “Sunny is money,” Mike
said. Along with homemade custards and Perry’s ice cream, customers can get
their hamburger and hotdog fix. The custard stand, close to D’Youville College,
offers discounts to all college students with IDs. By Christopher Baggs and Neseemah Coleman