Callie's Creamery, a family-owned ice cream shop in Neptune City, New Jersey, suffered extensive damage after severe storms brought torrential rain over the weekend. The shop, named after the owner's 7-year-old daughter Callie, has been a community fixture for five years.
Jay Vigilante, co-owner of the shop, was working late on Fourth of July weekend when the storms intensified. He described the water rising rapidly, initially to his ankles and then submerging the entire 3,000-square-foot establishment to about six inches deep within 20 to 30 minutes. Vigilante had to evacuate himself and two stranded customers from their car to higher ground within the shop.
Areas in the region experienced nearly 6 inches of rainfall. The flash flooding submerged numerous homes and businesses, with Callie's Creamery being among the most severely impacted.
While about 90% of the water has receded, the cleanup process has begun, revealing mud and debris throughout the building. Vigilante and his wife shared a video on social media detailing the damage, which quickly gained widespread attention.
The outpouring of support from neighbors and customers has provided the Vigilante family with hope for reopening. The shop remains closed indefinitely as the cleanup and assessment of damages continue.