Many people think ice cream store owners take winter-long vacations.

Some do, but for the most part, surviving the winter months is a challenge.

One business owner rationalized staying open year round: “Ice cream is comfort food even though it's cold outside, & you have to pay for the rent whether you are open or closed anyway. Keep the business in the forefront of the neighborhood's mind. If a store is closed for a few months, customers will get used to driving past it and opt for the chain ice cream shop instead."

Here are a few Survival tips from The National Dipper:

1- Reduce Staff

2- Limit flavor selections

3- Create seasonal specific holiday flavors like pumpkin spice, apple cobbler, candy cane...

4- Reduce hours of operation

5- Sell cakes & pies

6- Wholesale ice cream to restaurants

7- Sell take-home pints & quarts

8- In-store events

9- Add chocolates, hot coffee,hot cocoa, hot apple cider or hot food to the menu

10- Add WiFI to your store

11- Sponsor a local team

12- Have school fund-raising events

13- Work a winter job

14- Sell Christmas trees

15- Plow snow

Ask your customers NOW what would keep them coming into your store during the winter months!

Gil's Ice Cream Supplies

Now carries Welsh Farms Ice Cream Mix and Master Martini Liquid Gelato Mix.

We stock a huge selection of syrups & bases to make your own Italian Ice, including a gourmet private label line for unique flavors without the cost of new product development.

We also carry a huge selection of waffle & cake cones, rainbow sprinkles, crushed fruit & candy toppings, chocolate & peanut butter syrups, flavored bases, nuts, cherries, spoons and all of the paper products you will ever need to run a successful Ice Cream, Gelato, or Italian Ice business!

"40 Years of Personalized Service and Product Expertise"

320 W Oak Lane Glenolden PA 19036

610-237-6501

Visit us at: www.IceCreamSuppliesWholesale.com