My first couple of weekends with Italian Ice

Hi all,

Just wanted to give a quick update on my first two weekends out with the Italian Ice cart.  Some quick backgroud: I'm set up at the local flea market which has reasonable but inconsistent traffic (nothing like a festival).  I sold about 50 cups of ice each of the four days I have been out so far.  I already have a few 'regulars.'  And I love those families that send up one or two kids and next thing you know, the whole family of five is there buying the ice because it is so good!  One day I shut up early because of the threat of a downpour and actually had a couple people chase behind the cart to get ice - that felt pretty good :)

All in all I'm happy.  People around here aren't completely sure what exactly Italian Ice is - often think it's a snow cone but like it much better once they get a taste of it!  Still have a few loose ends to tie up (better signage, try a few more flavors) and feel very fortunate to be able to get my feet wet at the local flea market before taking on a big event.  The cold plate cart worked great - the first day out was extremely hot and the ice got a little softer than I preferred even with the cold plates.

Only odd thing I had happen was yesterday some woman was asking me all sorts of questions about the cart and product - turns out she had Italian Ice at the county fair (her first time out with ice).  Her memory on her product was a little selective (how can you not know your product???).  I figure there's plenty of events to go around and I was more interested in communicating so we don't show up at the same events.  All in all a weird conversation.

Stephanie

I know Italian Ice was big in New England, but I don't know about other places. I haven't had it for years, and never see it in the Pacific Northwest. I remember eatting it as a kid, what a treat. They put it in  paper cups and when you got to the bottom you tried to lick out as much as possible.
  I would give spoon samples, its the kind of item that once you try it your hooked...................Great job and good luck......Bill

Congratulations on your first event!  If your doing regular locations, like farmers markets, you'll find that the longer you are there, the more business you'll have, as people will begin to "trust" you and give you a try.

There is a certain amount of educating your customers that you do, and still they continue to call you "shaved ice"   Here, there a big trend towards vegan and non-dairy products, so I'm finding more people very happy to find a product that fits that bill.

Just wondering what product you decided to go with? I am fro the east coast, but transplanted to Oregon. (Hey BillyB, yes we have Ice in Portland!) I started out with Via Veneto, but started producing our own this past spring. Now starting a wholesale operation as well.

Pat
Mita's Italian Ice

neonlady


Congratulations on your first event!  If your doing regular locations, like farmers markets, you'll find that the longer you are there, the more business you'll have, as people will begin to "trust" you and give you a try.

There is a certain amount of educating your customers that you do, and still they continue to call you "shaved ice"   Here, there a big trend towards vegan and non-dairy products, so I'm finding more people very happy to find a product that fits that bill.

Just wondering what product you decided to go with? I am fro the east coast, but transplanted to Oregon. (Hey BillyB, yes we have Ice in Portland!) I started out with Via Veneto, but started producing our own this past spring. Now starting a wholesale operation as well.

Pat
Mita's Italian Ice

Hey Pat, I stopping at Mountain coin in Portland lastweek while on our way to Seaside. Like i said I remember Italian ice from the east coast, its nice to see it out West. I hope its doing you well. It will beat the heack out of Shaved ice in taste any day of the week. On the East coast there are a lot more ethnic groups so you find many more of their foods more often. Italians, Polish, whatever, I miss the diversity.....................Bill

Hi Pat,

I'm carrying Via's right now.  The local distributor delivers to my door so it's hard to beat!  No cold storage involved except for a freezer here in my home.  Hope all goes well for you in producing it yourself...if you get it out to the East Coast, let me know!

Stephanie

Stephanie, good luck  with the Flea Market. What flavors are you going with right now? Can't beat delivery to your door, very nice convenience to have. So I take it you don't have to rent out commisary space either and are running everything right out of your home?  Good luck with everything going forward........Neil

Neil,

I am able to use my home as the commissary, which is a huge help!  My most popular flavors are mango, strawberry/banana, and rainbow.  I'm experimenting with other flavors but I will definitely continue with those three at the flea market location.  Are you up and running yet or still planning?  There's a lot more to plan than I expected!

Stephanie

ice queen


Neil,

I am able to use my home as the commissary, which is a huge help!  My most popular flavors are mango, strawberry/banana, and rainbow.  I'm experimenting with other flavors but I will definitely continue with those three at the flea market location.  Are you up and running yet or still planning?  There's a lot more to plan than I expected!

Stephanie

Stephanie,  I am just in a holding pattern right now. But I'm pretty set on who I want to get my ice from and equipment. How did you set up your business as an LLC?  And did you get your permits and licences sorted out, as well as insurance?  My wife and I are renting for 1 more year and waiting for the real estate marked to level out then buy a house with a double garage so that we will have plenty of room to hold any equipment related to the Italian Ice venture. Hoping that the company I'm planning on getting my equipment thru will lower their prices again as they did late last year. Be nice to save some money on startup. Don't mind putting money into the business once it gets rolling and bringing money in but in startup mode trying to find that balance of quality and affordability.  Ok, good luck Stephanie...........Neil

Hi Stephanie!  My husband and I have been researching, for what seems forever, the Italian Ice business. We are also in VA, off 95 south of Richmond.  I just talked to the VHD and was told we would have to have 4 sinks!  3 for sanitizing and 1 for hand washing.  GULP... Also, how were you able to get your home to be the commissary, that would help a great deal on costs.

I've been reading roadfood.com for a few months now and have been keeping up with your 'adventure' and am very glad you are up and running.  Any advise for dealing with the HD would be greatly appreciated.

Congratulations and good luck!

Hi Diego,

Believe me, I understand the issues with the HD!!  What I finally did (after getting the run-around from several agencies) is called my local HD - the one that would actually be inspecting me.  I asked for the inspector to call me back, which she did.  She was so very helpful.  I explained what I was serving (fortunately she was familiar with Italian Ice).  She told me specifically what I HAD to have (handwash sink, sneeze guard, and umbrella/covering for customers).  She also was kind enough to look over the cart plans BEFORE I bought the cart so there was no question that it would pass.  I'm not sure if you went to your local HD or the state one - I started with the state one and they weren't very helpful at all.  I'm sure it varies from county to county but I do know that the permit I got for my county is good anywhere in the state (although I can be inspected at any time again). 

As for the commissary, I was very confused on that as well but because we're serving non-dairy/non-cooked, the HD does not seem to be as concerned.  She did perform the inspection of my cart at my home and confirmed that I had extra scoops.  I've heard of people in other states getting around the commissary by using disposible scoops so that may be an option.

My biggest advice is to try to find your specific HD if you haven't already done so and then stick with it...it literally took us years to get everything to where we had the answers and felt comfortable making the investment in the cart.  Good luck and please let me know if I can help!

Stephanie

IceMan1969


 How did you set up your business as an LLC?  And did you get your permits and licences sorted out, as well as insurance? 

Yeap, set up as an LLC - the insurance took some time but we got there finally.  Couldn't find one of the major companies to insure us but they did recommend a company that would.

Stephanie

ice queen

IceMan1969


How did you set up your business as an LLC?  And did you get your permits and licences sorted out, as well as insurance? 

Yeap, set up as an LLC - the insurance took some time but we got there finally.  Couldn't find one of the major companies to insure us but they did recommend a company that would.

Stephanie

Stephanie,  Sounds like you are off on a good foot.  Did you file as an LLC on your own or did you get any legal help along the way with an attorney or a cpa?  I've had a few people tell me while you can file as an LLC on your own that they still would recommend talking to an attorney to get insight on different aspects of the business operations.  What about paying taxes, I assume you get that information  when you filed for  licences etc. ?    So you're set up at the flea market on weekends, does that mean you're not able to do  weekend events  or can you come and go as you please from your Flea Market location to do events?  Good luck with everything........hope you prosper..........Neil