If it weren’t for the sparse snow this year, Foote’s Rest may not be opening this afternoon, owner Kelly Foote said.

His contractor is an avid skier who shows up in Summit County to ski. When the skiing conditions waned, his work at the historic property on Frisco’s Main Street increased.

When it opens to locals this afternoon at about 3 or 4 p.m., the building that used to serve as a post office, general store and residence for Foote’s ancestors will welcome sweets seekers.

“We have sweets for everyone,” Foote said as he stood on the newly poured concrete patio that basks in the southern-facing sun and opens up to views of Peak One. Around him were cafe-style patio tables and chairs, and surrounding that was an intricately landscaped border that poured out onto a gravel driveway and grassy lawn that would become seating for customers during next week’s Frisco BBQ Challenge.

The shop’s interior has a bright, welcoming atmosphere that elicits the feeling of walking into an old-time sweets shop – exactly what Foote was after.

He’s kept the family homemade fudge and ice cream recipes alive, selling them out of the Frisco and Dillon Conoco stations since he and his wife, Kerri, took over the properties in 2010 after a family feud over what to do with them was settled.

When he took over the property, he vowed to his grandmother, Helen Foote, that he’d do what he could to restore it.

“My family’s intentions are to take over and preserve the legacy my grandparents started,” he said.

The family recipe treats will now be sold right on Frisco Main Street, an offering many visitors seek when they’re strolling around town in summer. Ice cream is still made in the Conoco kitchen, but the fudge operation has moved to Foote’s Rest.

During the renovations, which were extensive, the former northern California marketing consultant retained the wall of post office boxes, opening up a view into the fudge kitchen. Kids and adults can peer through the wall and post office window to see fudge being made, poured and prepped for serving. At the same time, they can catch glimpses of old post office and general store relics, like old postcards, pens, bottles of ink, an old flashlight and post office box keys.

The counter will be filled with fudge types like penuche, raspberry swirl, English toffee, moose drool, cookies and cream, amaretto swirl, mint swirl and chocolate walnut – to name a few.

Around the countertop corner stands a wall of bulk candy, home to more than 60 sweets for sale. Behind the counter, the frozen yogurt machines stand at the ready, prepared to serve up nine flavors – six regular and three swirls. And at the back of the shop will be the homemade ice cream selections, beckoning under the lights that look like old diner fixtures. Foote said he also plans to sell Patsy’s Chocolate and Hammond’s Candies in the store.

During the past year of renovations to the property, Foote has had good feedback from the community, he said.

“They like to see there’s more life in the structure,” he said, adding that he also just finished renovating two cabins on the property that are now being rented as residences. Renovations of the main building began in February.

Workers who lent a hand getting the property renovated – like Alex Stevens, Ryan Owen, Rob Robles, Cody Gilmore and Amber Cramm – will now be mainstays behind the counter. Kelly and Kerri Foote plan to be around, as do Bob and Becky Foote, who are Foote’s Rest constants and Kelly Foote’s parents.