Cyndi Loza

Cold Stone Creamery employee Stephanie Herman asked a pair of befuddled customers what a bear with no teeth is called.

“A gummie bear,” she answered with a laugh.

Herman, 17, is among the dozens of teens spending their summer working in an ice cream shop while school is out of session.

The McQueen High School graduate said working at the Reno shop is a great place to make money and have fun before attending Truckee Meadows Community College in the fall. Herman said employees usually try to sing or tell jokes to the customers to make them leave happier than when they came in.

“I’ve always loved to act, and I think when you’re here, you have to act to make everyone’s experience amazing,” said Herman, manager of the Cold Stone Creamery on 299 E. Plumb Lane.

Four years ago, Herman “auditioned” for the job by dancing, despite having what she called “two left feet.” Between the four Reno area locations, she said Cold Stone Creamery employs about 60 people ages 16 to 28.

“Coming here and seeing everyone happy made me think of Disneyland,” Herman said. “It’s somewhere you go to have fun.”

Clint Monfalcone, 21, a junior at the University of Nevada, Reno, said he enjoys working in the Tahoe Creamery because it is located on campus in the Joe Crowley Student Union.

Getting half of his favorite Minden-made cold dessert is just another perk, he said.

“Ice cream is one of those things you grow up with as a kid,” Monfalcone said. “So, it’s just one those things you can relate back to your childhood.”

Paola De Leon, a junior at North Valleys High School, just enjoys the free ice cream, having tried all 43 flavors as an employee at the Baskin-Robbins 31 Flavors.

“Eating all the ice cream — that’s what I love,” De Leon, 17. “I love that we get to try all the new ice creams.”

De Leon said she loves her job despite having a newfound sweet tooth that might have made her gain a pound or two.