Warmer Winter Weather Means a Second Wind For Ice Cream -- and No One's Complaining
Typically, ice cream is thought of a summertime treat. In fact, June is considered the month that the most ice cream is produced in the United States. And while 90% of households indulge in ice cream year-round, it is certainly not considered a staple wintertime treat.
However, this winter might tell a very different tale.
Due to the looming El Nino weather patterns that promise a warmer and rainier winter across the country, many ice cream vendors are getting a well-deserved second wind in the sale of christmas ice cream cups and cones.
In New York City, this very scenario is taking place. On Christmas Eve, the city was a balmy 70 degrees. Instead of donning the stereotypical coats, scarves, and hats of the season, tourists and locals alike are skipping the scarves and tights for warmer weather attire -- and they're all flocking to the ice cream vendors reappearing all over the city.
“It’s a one-time-in-20-year event,” Rad Lopez told the New York Post, who sells ice cream from the Fun Time Frostee truck at Sixth Avenue and West 48th Street. “It’s a blessing from the gods.”
While ice cream trucks are typically packed deep into storage by December, many vendors are capitalizing on the unseasonal weather as hungry tourists search for a weather-appropriate, refreshing treat.
“It’s beyond unusual,” said Mister Softee Vice President Jim Conway. “It’s bizarre.”
And it's not only the ice cream vendors that are benefitting from the oddly high temperatures. Even the brick and mortar ice cream shops are increasing.
“Sales have increased quite a bit because it’s warm,” said Marcos Villa of Mikey Likes It Ice Cream in the East Village. “We’re up 30 percent [from last winter].”
Perhaps this little winter miracle is an opportunity for ice cream lovers to unite once more to get a scoop of their favorite ice cream in their very own custom ice cream cups and cones.
However, this winter might tell a very different tale.
Due to the looming El Nino weather patterns that promise a warmer and rainier winter across the country, many ice cream vendors are getting a well-deserved second wind in the sale of christmas ice cream cups and cones.
In New York City, this very scenario is taking place. On Christmas Eve, the city was a balmy 70 degrees. Instead of donning the stereotypical coats, scarves, and hats of the season, tourists and locals alike are skipping the scarves and tights for warmer weather attire -- and they're all flocking to the ice cream vendors reappearing all over the city.
“It’s a one-time-in-20-year event,” Rad Lopez told the New York Post, who sells ice cream from the Fun Time Frostee truck at Sixth Avenue and West 48th Street. “It’s a blessing from the gods.”
While ice cream trucks are typically packed deep into storage by December, many vendors are capitalizing on the unseasonal weather as hungry tourists search for a weather-appropriate, refreshing treat.
“It’s beyond unusual,” said Mister Softee Vice President Jim Conway. “It’s bizarre.”
And it's not only the ice cream vendors that are benefitting from the oddly high temperatures. Even the brick and mortar ice cream shops are increasing.
“Sales have increased quite a bit because it’s warm,” said Marcos Villa of Mikey Likes It Ice Cream in the East Village. “We’re up 30 percent [from last winter].”
Perhaps this little winter miracle is an opportunity for ice cream lovers to unite once more to get a scoop of their favorite ice cream in their very own custom ice cream cups and cones.
