What's Happening in Hicksville, NY…

Carvel, an ice cream company, recently gave its Long Island stores a makeover.

The stores now feature bright colors, wood flooring, and the type of seating that might be found in a cafe or a lounge.

The Hicksville Carvel was 30 years old last month, and offered patrons a number of specials to celebrate the anniversary. One day, franchisee Fred Yam rolled back the prices to 1987, offering small cones for 99¢, and sundaes for $1.99. Carvel's most popular treat is Fudgie the Whale – a chocolate-and-vanilla ice cream cake topped with crunchies and shaped like a whale. Fudgie made his debut in 1977, and has been a best-seller ever since.

Carvel debuted its new look in 2014 in Florida, and updated its logo at the same time. The year before, the company introduced a number of new products, including more variety in its ice cream cakes, new flavors, and a co-branding venture with Heath, Oreo, and Reese's. Nearly a third of the chain's 400 stores have been revamped, with the rest expected to make the change within five years.

The business was founded by Tom Carvel, who had an ice cream truck. It broke down and his ice cream began melting, but he found his customers liked the softer version, and soft-serve was born. Carvel opened his first brick-and-mortar store in 1934.

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