The long-awaited reopening of Lighthouse Ice Cream store in Ocean Beach took place on Saturday, May 10. Owner Carol Ladiges opened the doors for the first time since a fire two years ago damaged the iconic shop.

“I’m more excited for the community than I am for myself,” said Ladiges. “OB is such a great place; I’ve made so many lifelong friends here. We’ve served generations of families here. Honestly, it’s their support that’s kept me going through some very hard times.”

Former OB residents Ivy and Susan Rackley made a special trip from their home in Iowa to support their friend Carol for her ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“We’re old friends of Carol and Dick,” said Ivy. “We are so happy for Carol, and her new ice cream shop looks fantastic. I know how difficult it has been for Carol, this opening required so much time and work to restore the Lighthouse. We are all so very proud of Carol,” said Susan.

Ocean Beach residents along with longtime friends lined up eagerly awaiting to be the first one to get a scoop of their favorite ice cream from the store. That honor went to Rhoda Brian.

“I know how hard it’s been for Carol to get the Lighthouse open again,” said Brain. “We are all here to support Carol and the Lighthouse. I got the first cone of Rocky Road.”

“I’ve known Carol for seven years,” said Rachel Freischlag. “I am so happy for Carol to have accomplished this amazing task of restoring this historic ice cream store on Newport Avenue.”

Similar sentiments echoed throughout the growing crowd of well-wishers. Carol and her late husband Dick Ladiges were pioneers of sorts and were great supporters of everything Ocean Beach.

Fortunately, the famous “photo boards” survived the fire because they were in another location being digitized for online viewing. Thousands of photographs tell the history of the many customers who make up the Lighthouse family.

“Those Kodak moments are very special to us and we will continue the tradition,” Carol said.