CAPE CORAL, Fla. — The Southwest Florida community jumped into action today. A local business owner says someone took off with a decoration that sits right outside of her ice cream shop late Saturday night.
One local shop owner arrived at her store earlier this morning to find someone stole the giant ice cream cone
that sits right here at the front door.
Earlier today the owner of Zirilli's Chilli Treats in Cape Coral had some major questions.
"Who does this? Who takes someones personal property" said Barbra Zirilli-Lonergane.
She says the cone was a gift for the 4 year anniversary of the store's opening, and shares an emotional backstory to how it all began. Just four months after opening in 2014 Barbra lost both of her parents and says that this shop is far deeper than just scooping ice-cream, its how she keeps her families legacy alive.
"Everywhere you look and everywhere you touch my parent's hands have touched" Barbra Zirillilonergane// Zirilli's Chilly Treats Owner
Surveillance cameras caught a glimpse of the theft late Saturday night. The missing cone lead to an overwhelming community response. with hundreds of shares on Facebook and local businesses stepping in to help.
The cone was found behind the shop in a ditch. The but co-owner Mathew Lonergane says they are no longer keeping it outside.
"We are afraid it might disappear again. Its a shame somebody could take something like that even if it was just a joke," said Lonergane.
Fox 4 spoke with Zirilli's Chilly Treat Lovers at the shop tonight and they said they are really happy its back.
