Zack’s Frozen Yogurt opened its doors early Wednesday to serve ice cream for breakfast in celebration of the last day of school in Stratford.

"It was always exciting for kids to wake up on the last day of school and know that they get to skip breakfast and go right to the ice cream portion of the day," said Stephen Allen, a parent who has been bringing his son for years.

The tradition had been hosted by Micalizzi in the past, but that shop has been closed since a fire last June. Then in April, Micalizzi co-owner Jay Piccirillo unexpectedly passed away.

"[Ice cream for breakfast] is something that he looked forward to every year," said John Dempsey, who owns Zack's. "he was always involved in the community, he was always listening to customers."

Dempsey was also an owner at Micalizzi. He said since Zack's is not as close to the schools as Micalizzi, they originally were not planning on doing anything on the last day of school.

But he started getting calls and requests from both parents and kids. So, about a week before the last day, they decided to open early and bring the tradition back.

"We were very thrilled, it's just like one of those traditions in any small town, you just want someone to keep picking it up and picking it up," said Allen.

People responded by lining up even before the doors opened at 7 a.m., with the line going all the way through the store.

"I like seeing the little kids being happy, it makes them excited. I really like that," said Jaylin Speed, one of the servers at Zack's.

Dempsey says Piccirillo would have loved to see the smiles.

"I think seeing the turnout today, he would be really happy, and just overjoyed that we're continuing this tradition," said Dempsey.

Zack's is now planning to make sure to do this every year and continue the tradition of ice cream for breakfast on the last day of school in Stratford.