'Twin Scoops': Oconomowoc family opens shop a year after mom dies in rollover crash

OCONOMOWOC, Wis. (CBS 58) -- An Oconomowoc family's life was changed forever when their mother died in a car crash a little over a year ago. Now, the family is working together, literally, on a new ice cream and bubble tea shop to serve love and provide a safe space for those who need it most.

"Twin Scoops"—named after 5-year-old twins Arcata and Brighton— is the newest shop in Oconomowoc.

"They’re 99% of the time mistaken for girls and we correct them politely...it’s very apparent to me, more than ever now, the assumptions of gender are as strong as they’ve ever been,” said Shane Dunn, father of the owner of Twin Scoops.

Dunn's wife, Molly, was tragically killed in a rollover crash last year, with the boys inside the vehicle. Dunn largely took over as a stay-at-home dad, until now.

"We're trying to make a spot where we can have some of the kids get comfortable with us and provide outreach groups as we go forward," he added.

Dunn's eldest daughter, 19-year-old Nadia Dunn, is the owner of Twin Scoops. She and her girlfriend, Madison Billings-Nowak, work at the shop and helped paint a rainbow flag on the entrance wall, promoting inclusivity and acceptance.

"That was our freehand," Nadia Dunn said. "That was one of the first things we did in here."

They told CBS 58 News they are hoping to change the narrative of their hometown, which hasn't always been supportive of the LGBTQ+ community.

"It is such a, like, religious and conservative town, so, like, it’s definitely gotten better now, and I see a lot more people like us, I guess,” she said.

"When we go out in public, it’s still very hard," added Billings-Nowak. "It’s just a very, like, uncomfortable situation sometimes because you never know what people are going to say or how they’re going to act towards you.”

Dunn said this is an idea that was originally thought out as a food truck when Molly was alive. Just a little over a month after she died, the shop became available and the family has been working hard ever since, to make it a fun, friendly and safe space in Oconomowoc. 

"She would be so proud," he said. "It's hard to imagine what it would be with her cause she was just so, just dedicated, hardworking."