Father-son business brings joy to Williamston on Father’s Day

Williamston, Mich. (WILX) – While sons and daughters celebrate with their fathers today, one father-and-son duo is celebrating by working.

Steve Jenkins and his son Todd opened Candy Cafe and Ice Cream in Williamston, just over a month ago. Now, as Father’s Day arrives, Steve says today is special.

“As a father, you want to see your children do well in life and [I’m] very proud of Todd, my youngest son, who’s partnered with me here…So it’s special because it’s Father’s Day and I’m here with my youngest son,” Steve said.

While the initial idea to open the store was Steve’s, Todd has been by his side the whole time. Now, when they see how much joy their customers have when they come, Steve said all the work has paid off.

“Seeing families come in, seeing dads come in with their kids, it just allows for me to shake my head and say ‘yep, I think we’re doing the right thing,’” he said.

A father in his own right, Todd has seen it all come “full circle” as now he brings his kids to the small town shop.

“It’s actually been great. I’ve got four kids myself, and they enjoy it as much as I do. They get to come up and hang out with grandpa,” Todd said.

Hard-scooped ice cream is something the town “wanted,” according to Todd, because the community is “loving it.”

However, it wasn’t just Steve and Todd who got to spend their holiday at the Candy Cafe. Cora Bigos and her dad Dale got to spend some very memorable time together today.

“Since he can’t be around from working and stuff it’s just so nice to spend time with him,” Cora said.

Dale works 60 hours a week, and with his children in school he says it’s hard for him to spend time with the people he loves most. Which is why days like today are so special to the family.

“It means a lot to me. My kids mean everything to me and its nice to just get out around the community and spend some time together,” Dale said.

Steve says he hopes that even when he’s done working at the Candy Cafe he hopes to see his family running it for “years, and years, and years.”

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