For more than a decade, the Wagner family of Lewes provided jobs for young people at its 2 Dips ice cream shop along Savannah Road. In the midst of two other ice cream shops, 2 Dips carved out its own niche serving Hershey’s hand-dipped ice cream, water ices, sno-cones and snacks. It didn’t hurt that the late Don Wagner Sr. had a museum in the same building filled with his collections. He could be found there most nights telling stories about Lewes.

After 12 years, 2 Dips is closing its doors. The historic buildings have been sold to developer Rick Quill, who will build 12 condominiums, known as Carriage House at Savannah, on the site incorporating the distinctive front facade of the 2 Dips shop.

The family recently announced they couldn’t find another suitable location for their business. So on May 18, nearly everything in the two buildings was sold by Emmert Auction Associates. The list included all of the ice cream shop equipment, tools, paper products, ovens, dippers, chairs, picnic tables, booths, display cases, a Cub Cadet garden tractor, the 2 Dips trailer and mobile ice cream truck, signs, collectables, police badges, a walk-in freezer and much, much more.

2 Dips was founded by Don Wagner Jr. and his daughters Jan and Chelsey, who ran the business.

The buildings date back to the 1920s when the Lewes Beach Garage operated there. Don Sr. purchased the property in 1962, where he ran the Boatel Boat Storage and Happy Boat Sales businesses.

The price of liberty is eternal vigilance.