High winds split Giant Chip statue at Lehigh Valley ice cream shop

An “ice cream-loving legend” has become a little shorter after high winds split him in half outside a popular Lehigh Valley ice cream shop.

The Inside Scoop announced the damage to its Giant Chip statue Saturday at 301 N. Third St. (Route 309) in Coopersburg.

“Last night he decided he’d had enough of Pennsylvania winter and tried to make a break for somewhere warmer,” the shop said in a post on Facebook. “Unfortunately, a 25-foot ice cream–loving legend isn’t exactly built for a stealth escape and he snapped in half mid‑escape. Don’t worry — Chip’s in good hands, and we’ll have our big guy standing tall again soon. Until then, send him some warm thoughts … he clearly needs them.”

Tony Caciolo, who owns the ice cream shop with his wife Penny, said high winds must have knocked over the statue late Friday night or early Saturday morning.

The region was under a high wind advisory for gusts up to 55 mph, according to the National Weather Service.

Caciolo said that Mark Cline of Virginia, who constructed Giant Chip, will repair the statue in March, allowing the shop to have a welcome-back party in early April if weather permits.

“It’s a great landmark,” Caciolo said, especially for attracting customers to take pictures with Giant Chip.

The fiberglass statue was installed in 2018 using a mold of what was left of an original muffler man, a roadside statue meant to attract drivers to businesses.

Despite the snafu involving Chip, business went on as usual Saturday at the Inside Scoop. The shop featured special ice cream dishes to celebrate National Ice Cream for Breakfast Day.

Cassie Velders and her daughter, Luna, 4, enjoy a waffle...

Cassie Velders and her daughter, Luna, 4, enjoy a waffle sundae and a bowl of ice cream Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, at Inside Scoop in Coopersburg. The shop featured special ice cream dishes to celebrate National Ice Cream for Breakfast Day. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)

Dylan Garcia creates a doughnut sundae Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, at Inside Scoop in Coopersburg. The shop featured special ice cream dishes to celebrate National Ice Cream for Breakfast Day. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)

Dylan Garcia creates a waffle sundae Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, at Inside Scoop in Coopersburg. The shop featured special ice cream dishes to celebrate National Ice Cream for Breakfast Day. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)

Natasha Obleschuk sells ice cream Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, at Inside Scoop in Coopersburg. The shop featured special ice cream dishes to celebrate National Ice Cream for Breakfast Day. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)

Natasha Obleschuk makes an affogato Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, at Inside Scoop in Coopersburg. The shop featured special ice cream dishes to celebrate National Ice Cream for Breakfast Day. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)

Customers line up to place their orders Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, at Inside Scoop in Coopersburg. The shop featured special ice cream dishes to celebrate National Ice Cream for Breakfast Day. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)

Dylan Garcia greets customers Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, at Inside Scoop in Coopersburg. The shop featured special ice cream dishes to celebrate National Ice Cream for Breakfast Day. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)

A doughnut sundae is for sale Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, at Inside Scoop in Coopersburg. The shop featured special ice cream dishes to celebrate National Ice Cream for Breakfast Day. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)

Anya Clark and Karina Clark enjoy ice cream Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, at Inside Scoop in Coopersburg. The shop featured special ice cream dishes to celebrate National Ice Cream for Breakfast Day. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)

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High winds split Giant Chip statue at Lehigh Valley ice cream shop

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