Frozen delights

Date AddedAugust 22, 2009 01:10:48 PM

Author

Local businesses serve up range of cool treats

Ice cream sales remain hot despite summer's chill. If anything, business has actually increased at Slinky's Dairy Hut in Tecumseh -- a popular place for cool treats, rain or shine, spring through fall.

Without the usual sweltering heat, haze and humidity, customers are out and about, instead of cooped up indoors with the air conditioner running.

"You know what, the cool weather has been awesome for us," says Claire Tessier, who co-owns the 27-year-old ice cream shop at 100 Lesperance Rd. with her husband Richard. "It brings people out. Hot and humid, it's just dead. People don't want to go out, it's too hot."

Tessier and other ice cream shop owners can predict crowds by the skies and temperatures.

Rain and temperatures below 15 C or higher than 30 C mean shorter lineups.

"The best weather is in the low 80s (Fahrenheit). The weather's been so nice, people have been coming out," says Mike Koutsonicolas, who operates Busker's Subs & Sandwiches, Frozen Yogurt & Hard Ice Cream, at 1805 Tecumseh Rd. W., with his wife Jennifer.

The tough economy hasn't helped, and the recent city workers' strike thinned the ranks of daytime customers on the run, he says.

On top of that, ice cream costs slightly more this prime-time season, a reflection of rising food prices.

To continue enticing customers, ice cream companies are adding flavours, offering treats with less fat and developing novelties, like the Slow Melt Popsicle. (A little gelatin helps the ice pops stay frozen longer.)

Locally, there are a variety of shops to choose from, as well. They include Dari DeLite, at 2686 Howard Ave., Dairy Freez, at 386 County Rd. 34 W. in North Ridge near Cottam, and Tecumseh Bar B Q's Frostey's, at 5695 Malden Rd. in LaSalle.

Operators tweak their selection of flavours to round out offerings. Koutsonicolas, at Busker's, deals with three different suppliers to get the right mix of tempting treats and variety. He has 34 ice cream flavours and admits his favourite is Rolo, concocted much like the chocolate and caramel candy. "Rolo, by far," he says.

"I love chocolate, and I love butterscotch."

At Slinky's, the menu includes smoothie drinks, frozen yogurt, soft ice cream and the protein shakes -- especially popular with the fitness crowd cycling, running and walking by.

Diets and budgets may affect sales, but people interviewed on both sides of the counter say ice cream remains on the summer menu -- as do lower-fat treat choices, like sorbets and yogurts.

Depending on the store, a serving of six to seven ounces can still cost under $3.

At the Marble Slab Creamery, a new franchise shop in Lakeshore's St. Clair Shores Shopping Centre, price isn't much of an hindrance for its creamy confections and cones made on-site. A single-serving cone with six to seven ounces costs about $4.50.

"I figure I deserve it," says Elaine van Gaalen, of Tecumseh, who stopped by for a Pralines and Crispy Crunch cone combo. "You can pick what you want mixed in with it. You can personalize it," she adds.

Brent and Dina Groh, who opened the shop in May, say sales continue to climb.

"A lot of families can't go out much because of the economy," says Brent, but ice cream remains an affordable luxury

The shops can still expect customers to get their licks in this summer. The weather forecast predicts temperatures below 30 C the rest of this week, but not a lot of sunshine, says David Phillips, Environment Canada's senior climatologist.

The long-range forecast for August and September suggests warmer than normal temperatures, Phillips adds.

"We think the last half of summer will be more like a normal summer."