The sweet taste of summer keeps people satisfied at Conny's Creamy Cone in St. Paul.

"It helps you cool off," said loyal customer Brian Lulek, as he enjoyed his soft-serve treat.

Cones and shakes are bringing relief as an end-of-season heatwave brings a boost in business.

"Definitely brings the crowds out," said owner Jeff Audette. "Like last weekend, we had lots of people come down."

A welcomed sight after a surly start to the month. From Sept. 3 to 7, the temperatures ranged from 11 to 15 degrees below average, with highs barely creeping into the 60s followed by nights in the mid-40s. That had people thinking summer skipped town.

"Another way of looking at it is it might just be kind of the opening act of fall," said Kenneth Blumenfeld, a climatologist with the Minnesota Department

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