Florida ice cream mascot mistaken for Klansman at Ice Cream Family Corner in Ocala

OCALA, Fla. (AP) -- A central Florida ice cream shop has had to get rid of its costumed ice cream cone mascot because passers-by kept mistaking him for something less innocent - a hooded Ku Klux Klan protester.

The Ocala Star-Banner reported Tuesday that the two-month-old business was suffering because of the sign-toting character waving at motorists outside Ice Cream Family Corner and Sandwiches.

He was outfitted like an ice cream cone with a brown, waffled bottom and a fluffy, pointed white top, flecked with sprinkles. Up close the costume looks nothing like a Klan robe and hood.

But that hasn't stopped rumors from swirling on Facebook about what exactly he is, and employees have heard that potential customers have steered clear of the place to avoid him.

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Information from: Ocala Star-Banner, http://www.starbanner.com/