David and Christine Kennedy bought Boardwalk Scoops on Government Drive in an online auction. Photo by Nancy Vogt

But new owners David and Christine Kennedy will be looking for a new name for the store on the north end of Government Drive.

"We are considering a change of name. We're very open and interested in suggestions from the community," David said. "It's partly because Scoops has an ice cream connotation and we'll have more than that."

The Kennedys didn't plan to buy the store. Recently, on their way to work at All Things Herbal, the business they own on East Sibley Street (just north of Boardwalk Scoops) where they make body care items and herbal soaps, they saw a sign announcing Boardwalk Scoops would be sold at an online auction.

Elaine Yablonsky owned the building and business, which she opened in 2003.

Curious, the Kennedys checked the auction site, never dreaming they'd submit a bid, much less the highest bid.

Christine said there were five bidders, and the next closest bid was from a businessman from Minneapolis who wanted to turn the building into an office.

David said the Kennedys' winning bid was $91,000, plus they must pay about $8,000 in auction fees.

The business is appraised at $184,900, according to the Crow Wing County assessor's office.

"It happened all so quickly," Christine said.

The Kennedys plan to be open July 4 to sell ice cream. Future plans include selling All Things Herbal products, though they won't make the products there.

"There's quite a few nice display areas in there. It's just a beautiful location and I just love the gardens," Christine said.

"We're still in shock that it happened," she said.

Eventually, the Kennedys hope to sell trailside snacks for people to take with them on the Paul Bunyan Trail, as well as offer coffees, soups and breadsticks this fall. David also hopes to offer healthy items, like smoothies and Italian ice.

They also plan to be open consistent hours, and will try to be open when events are going on in Trailside Park and Pequot Lakes, like the monthly concerts in the park.

And they'll rely on daughter Colleen, who will be a Pequot Lakes High School senior this fall, to be the main employee at Boardwalk Scoops.

The Kennedys also own the building on East Sibley Street that houses the Celeste Shop and Gallery.

"When we bought the current buildings, we bought them as investments. So this is an investment for us," David said. "Since it is an ice cream store, we're going to run with it and see if it's viable. It just makes sense to run with it. In a way, who wouldn't want to own an ice cream store?"