The decision to close ice cream shops for the winter is a difficult one. Owners have to weigh the pros and cons of keeping their business open while expecting low sales and less foot traffic. They have to consider the cost of heating, the staff payroll, and whether or not they will be able to make enough sales during this period.
Ice cream shops usually close between October and February. If you stay open on these months, you need to reduce operating hours, partner with other businesses, and decrease the number of employees.
Here we will explore when ice cream shops typically close their doors during the winter and how to prepare for the seasonal change. Find out more on what needs to be done about marketing techniques, flavor combinations, and sell to local establishments when shops choose to close for winter.
Months Closed for the Winter
Typically, ice cream shops close for the winter between the months of October and February. According to the National Weather Service, the average low temperature in October is 21 degrees Fahrenheit. When the temperature of the ground and air are both below freezing, people have less of a desire for cold treats and it can be difficult for ice cream shops to stay open. As a result, ice cream shops experience a drop in customer volume as well as a reduction in their overall profits.
Some ice cream shops close down during the winter and reopen in early spring. Others close down for a few weeks and operate again when it’s getting warmer outside, while others stay open year-round.
Purposes and Goals Of An Ice Cream Shop
Opt to Open during winter months
It might not make much sense at first, but keeping your ice cream shop open throughout the winter could end up being very profitable for you. Because ice cream is such a comforting dessert, it’s not unusual for customers to have cravings for it throughout the entire year.
If you plan to remain open in winter, you should consider the following suggestions:
- Reduce your operating hours. After deciding to remain open throughout the wintry months, you can shorten the length of your business operations. This will allow you to continue selling to and serving customers while minimizing on utilities and other overhead expenses.
- Partner with other businesses. Try selling your ice cream to other restaurants, bakeries, or cafes. This is an excellent opportunity to get to know the owners of other businesses while also reaching out to new potential customers.
- Decrease the number of employees. You might be able to cut back on your overall payroll expenses by reducing your staff size and by employing seasonal workers. Since business is slow, you can oversee the business yourself and effectively reduce wage costs.
Five Tips For Buying An Ice Cream Shop
What to do when closed for winter
Some advantages of closing ice cream shops during the winter months are reduced business costs because of less energy consumption and decreased staff size and prevention of food loss and waste.
Even in the coldest of cities, an ice cream business will still see some customers, although less than the usual. Owners stll have to pay for things like supplies, maintenance, utilities, and employees. You might choose to close your ice cream shop for the winter if you’re worried about the operating costs eating up any potential profits. Don’t worry, you may put your mind at ease by using the break to plan for the busy season ahead.
The following are some things to do when your shop temporarily closes during winter:
- To maintain your relevance and brand growth even when you’re closed, it’s important to think of new marketing techniques. Planning for brand-building activities can help bring in new customers and strengthen existing relationships when business resumes.
- Use the winter months to experiment with new flavor combinations and develop your products for the coming days. This way, you can start the summer off well by stocking up on a variety of ice cream flavors and other frozen treats to keep things interesting.
- You should offer your ice cream to local establishments. You can expand into new markets and attract more customers by making your product available in different venues. In addition, this method might help you build better connections with local entrepreneurs.
Moreover, it is common for ice cream shops to close during the winter months because of the following reasons:
- The demand for ice cream decreases in the winter months because people are less likely to eat it when it’s cold outside.
- It becomes much more expensive to run an ice cream shop in the winter because of electricity costs, heating, and other expenses that come with running a business in colder temperatures.
- To stay open, an ice cream shop would need to invest in expensive heating systems or lower its prices so that they’re competitive with other businesses.
Conclusion
Ice cream shops normally close between October and February. There are some pros and cons to whether you will open or close your business during the winter. If you choose to open, you need to reduce operating hours, partner with other businesses, and decrease the number of employees. If you choose to close, you may think of new marketing techniques, experiment with new flavor combinations, and offer your ice cream to local establishments.
How Much An Ice Cream Shop Owner Makes
Frequently Asked Questions
Since vanilla is the flavor of ice cream that is consumed the most all over the world, it is only logical to begin this list with vanilla ice cream.
Common stabilizers in ice cream, like guar gum and cellulose gum, stop ice crystals from growing by changing viscosity and other rheological properties. This makes it harder for water to move around in the liquid part of ice cream that hasn’t frozen yet.
To learn more on how to start your own ice cream/gelato business check out my startup documents here
This blog post is provided for informational purposes only. The information contained is not intended to constitute legal advice or to substitute for obtaining legal advice from a qualified attorney.
Hi! I am Shawn and I am a happy individual who happens to be an entrepreneur. I have owned several types of businesses in my life from a coffee shop to an import and export business to an online review business plus a few more and now I create online ice cream/gelato business resources for those interested in starting new ventures. It’s demanding work but I love it. I do it for those passionate about their business and their goals. That’s why when I meet a ice cream/gelato business owner, I see myself. I know how hard the struggle is to retain clients, find good employees and keep the business growing all while trying to stay competitive.
That’s why I created Ice Cream Business Boss: I want to help ice cream and gelato business owners like you build a thriving business that brings you endless joy and supports your ideal lifestyle.