GULF SHORES — Gage's Ice Cream has opened in Gulf Shores and is gearing up for the summer season.

Gage Polchlopek has lived in Orange Beach almost his entire life and worked at Matt's Ice Cream while he was a student at Gulf Shores High School, where he learned all about the craft of making ice cream. After high school, he attended Auburn University, where he studied biosystems engineering and later started an acting career, playing small roles in shows such as "Law and Order." While he was doing all of this, the thought of coming back to the Gulf Shores area to open an ice cream shop like his old boss, Matt Lumpkin, did with Matt's Ice Cream always stuck with him.

"Always in the back of my mind I wanted to come back and open an ice cream shop like Matt did because I really liked the job, and I liked the customer service, and I like the family aspect of it all," Polchlopek said. "I finally found a place that was opened up down here and available, so I jumped on it and got to open my own ice cream shop."

Gage's Ice Cream opened its doors on April 1. Polchlopek said he wanted to be the first ice cream shop in the area to infuse coffee and ice cream. His shop serves affogatos, an Italian-style dessert that consists of cold ice cream topped with hot, rich expresso, along with several ice cream flavors. A favorite of the shop is the Lil' Whacker, his own milkshake takes of the classic coastal drink that can be enjoyed by all ages. He also serves protein smoothies.

Polchlopek said he is glad to be back in the community and is excited to see where his business grows from here.

"I'm all about the memories and the moment, and the customer service element for me is really, really, really No. 1," Polchlopek said. "I want people to come in here and have a good time and make memories with their families, dates, whatever it is. That's what I'm all about. I'm happy to be doing that."

Gage's Ice Cream is located at 1538 Gulf Shores Parkway in the Square Shopping Center. They are open daily from 10 a.m. to 9.pm., but Polchlopek said he plans to expand his hours and be more "aggressive" this upcoming summer.