Preston Hardgrove started his business when he was 12, with a garden cart and a cooler. Now at 15, and with the help of his family, he runs the Port City Pops novelty ice cream truck.
It’s a converted pickup truck that’s outfitted with a cold plate freezer and booked most weekends. In many cases, it’s for private events and parties.
But you can also check it out this Saturday. Port City Pops will be at LakeFest, an event hosted by the city of Wilmington and Cape Fear River Watch that takes place 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Greenfield Lake.
“I started this because it’s fun, and I remember being a little kid and hearing the ice cream truck come through the neighborhood,” he said.
He likes to continue to spread that joy and happiness with his menu that includes a wide variety of frozen treats, from sundae cones (otherwise known as Nutty Buddies) to the classic tricolor, rocket-shaped Bomb Pops.
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Preston is a student at Southeast Area Technical High School, also known as Sea-Tech. When he’s not running the ice cream truck, he is also involved in the local theater scene.
“I love talking to customers and having those conversations,” he said.
He handles the management and booking of Port City Pops, but also relies on his father, Eddie Hardgrove, and his stepmom and sister to help him with the operation of the business. Preston said it’s been a great learning experience running the business and that it will prepare him well for the future.
“What I would really love to do one day is be a cruise director,” he said. “I think it would be a great way to combine my interest in theater, and in hospitality and entertaining people.”
Allison Ballard is the food and dining reporter at the StarNews. You can reach her at [email protected].