Wisconsin’s custard lovers may be converted once tasting Cold Stone Creamery’s ice cream.

Founded by Donald and Susan Sutherland in Tempe, Ariz., in 1988, Cold Stone franchises have spread to almost all 50 states, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Now the people of Wisconsin have their chance to taste the creamy ice cream of Cold Stone.

The new store at Mayfair Mall, 2550 N. Mayfair Rd., Wauwatosa, has already become a popular destination. This location opened mid-August, when ice cream and cooler temperatures were in high demand.

“Business has been going pretty well,” said Gregory Latus, an assistant manager at the Mayfair Cold Stone.

Wisconsin natives who were bred on custard, however, may be asking the same question — with so many devotees of the creamy treat, how is this ice cream shop faring?

“It’s been a little tough,” Latus said. “But there are some people who come in and say they like (ice cream) better.”

But there’s more to the Cold Stone Creamery than just ice cream.

The waffle cones and bowls are made daily, just like the ice cream. Customers can have a plain waffle cone or, for those with more of a sweet tooth, cones dipped in chocolate and sprinkles.

Customers may also notice a difference in the ice cream scoopers — or lack thereof. Cold Stone shops use spades instead, which make it easier to mix with the ice cream the various toppings the customers want. The ice cream is then mixed on top of a countertop made out of granite.

The countertop “helps to keep the ice cream frozen while we are mixing,” said Latasha Dawson, an employee at the Mayfair Cold Stone.

Because of the store’s unusual method of combining toppings with ice cream, a Cold Stone experience is a completely personal one.

“What makes us unique is that you make your own ice cream,” Latus said. “You pick out your flavor, choose your favorite candy, nuts, fruits and we mix them in.”

An ice cream flavor makes the base of each creation. The flavors range from sweet cream, the most popular flavor, to cake batter, chocolate, banana and the October flavor of the month: pumpkin.

Next come the mix-ins, or toppings — the first one is free and then it is 49 cents for every extra ingredient.

For those indecisive people, it might be overwhelming, but Cold Stone has come up with original mixtures to eliminate that problem. There is the Founder’s Favorite, which is sweet cream ice cream, pecans, brownies, fudge and caramel. Or, for more fruit-loving people, try the Berry Berry Berry Good: sweet cream ice cream, strawberries, raspberries and blueberries.

And no mixture is refused. There’s no punishment for coming up with your own concoction which you may love, even if others think you are crazy for eating it — interesting creations all add to the fun of Cold Stone.

“The weirdest mix I have ever had to make was banana ice cream, cherry pie filling and Butterfinger candy,” Dawson said.

There are also non-ice cream options at Cold Stone, including smoothies.

Cold Stone is also perfect for birthdays or special occasions. The Cold Stone Creamery crew will make a cake or pie, utilizing your favorite ice cream flavors and personalizing the dish.

There are three Cold Stone Creamery locations in the Milwaukee area: Besides the Mayfair location there are stores in Brookfield (2205 N. Calhoun Rd.) and Fox Point (8793 N. Port Washington Rd.), with several other stores soon to open in Wisconsin.