Seattle (NBp) - Amazon.com, the largest online book/video/music store online, has announced plans to become the largest online ice cream shop.

"Like everything Amazon.com does, we're moving into ice cream in a big way," announced Jeff Bezos, Amazon.com CEO. "Whereas a typical neighborhood ice cream shop might have 30 flavors, we have 27,000 flavors. Plus, you have to go out to get ice cream at a shop. Amazon.com is like the ice cream trucks of yesteryear, except we deliver when you ask us to."

Amazon.com Ice Cream home page

In addition to the 27,000 flavors of ice cream, which includes Tofu Prailine Crunch and Calamari Fudge Twist, Amazon.com features 250 kinds of ice cream sandwiches and more than 700 million possible sundae combinations. They are also the only known ice cream shop that will dip your cone in hot wax.

Amazon.com's entry into the $4 billion ice cream sales business does not faze traditional shops. "We think people like the atmosphere of your local shops," explained Harry's Ice Cream owner Harry Sharpe. "Besides, who wants to wait two days to get your ice cream? And will you still want to eat it if it is melted?"

Amazon.com officials insist that their sales model has worked for books, music, movies, gifts and auctions and should, therefore, work for ice cream as well.