ADAMS — Ice cream is back on the menu at 85 Summer Street, as The Rainbow Shack reopened its doors last Thursday following extensive renovations by new owners Emily Moulton and Kyle Danforth.
The soft opening marked a new chapter for the beloved local business, which was purchased in February for $215,000 by Moulton, Danforth, and General Manager Ingrid Poplaski under the business name Danmark LLC. The trio acquired the property from David and Paula Randall and have since invested both time and money to give the space a vibrant makeover.
Danforth, who estimates spending between $30,000 and $40,000 on materials and fixtures alone, took on much of the renovation work himself — a labor of love that could have cost upwards of $100,000 if contracted out. His work included tearing down walls, updating the electrical and plumbing systems, and installing new flooring throughout the ice cream shop.
A standout feature of the revamped space is a striking pastel-striped wall that took Danforth 80 hours to paint. The wall, adorned with the welcoming message “So happy you’re here,” adds a signature touch to the interior.
“We’re lucky we’re still married, because he was not happy,” joked Moulton, referencing the grueling work hours that coincided with another major milestone — their wedding. The couple tied the knot on April 11 at the Berkshire Hills Country Club in Pittsfield, celebrating with a snowy ceremony and no honeymoon. Decorations from the wedding, including disco balls, have found a second life in the shop.
April proved to be a busy month for Moulton, who also completed the Boston Marathon to raise funds for Boston Children’s Hospital, breaking the four-hour mark. Alongside her entrepreneurial pursuits, she works full-time in special education for North Adams Public Schools.
A North Adams native and former student at St. Stanislaus Kostka School, Moulton holds fond memories of visiting The Rainbow Shack as a child. She hopes to recreate that sense of nostalgia and community by making the shop a gathering place for local families.
“There’s not a place for children and adults to come together that offers both treats and coffee,” Moulton said. Her vision includes creating a family-friendly environment with cozy nooks for kids and locally sourced offerings, including baked goods by Poplaski, who is also a professional baker and longtime friend.
In addition to ice cream, the shop will carry locally made products such as spice blends and jewelry. Moulton has also hired eight local students from Hoosac Valley High School, Drury High School, and McCann Technical School to staff the shop part-time.
The new owners aren’t the only ones with ties to the food business. Moulton’s father, Mark Moulton — a former owner of Moulton’s General Store in North Adams — is returning to the counter this summer alongside his wife, Cathy. Emily Moulton’s first job was at I Got Goodies in North Adams, while Danforth got his start in the dish room at Taconic Restaurant in Williamstown. Though this is Danforth’s sixth business, he acknowledged he’s still learning the ropes of ice cream service.
As customers walk in and see the colorful wall and the message above the white couch, Moulton hopes they’ll feel a sense of joy and belonging — a sentiment that reflects her long-held dream of opening a sweet shop.
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