SLINGERLANDS — Toll Gate, an iconic ice cream parlor and restaurant, which had closed its doors since early January due to its owner’s illness, was open for just four hours Saturday afternoon. During that time, at least 40 half-gallons of homemade ice cream were sold, and around 1,400 cones and dishes were served up for free.

The owner’s family was offering free scoops of ice cream from noon to 4 p.m. as a thank-you to those who donated to the owner Rob Zautner through a GoFundMe campaign set up by his sister, Mary Zautner Smart. The campaign has now raised of $33,000 of its $50,000 goal to pay for Zautner’s medical expenses. Smart said that almost $3,500 was raised through donations at the Saturday event.

Zautner Smart told The Enterprise earlier that Zautner couldn’t afford health insurance because he was using profits from the business to pay for expenses such as payroll, supplies, and business insurance, rather than have money go into his paycheck.

She said that Zautner had had a small hole in his small intestine for some time, which caused diverticulitis and led to shock. He underwent surgery on Jan. 12.

Zautner Smart said on Monday that her brother has continued to be hospitalized in the intensive care unit.

“The average cost of one day in the ICU is about $20,000,” Zautner Smart said in an email to The Enterprise. “Unfortunately, due to his extended stay in the ICU, the cost will far exceed what we could ever raise but we are extremely grateful for all the donations that will help defray the costs.”

At this time, Zautner Smart said it is not feasible to determine a date to reopen the shop, although she hopes it can be reopened once her brother makes a full recovery.