While some businesses have managed to rebuild after hurricane damage, others have faced the difficult decision of whether to reopen. Joe Lalond, owner of Frost Oasis, an ice cream shop offering various desserts, made the tough choice to close his beloved store.

“Scooping ice cream isn’t as easy as it looks. Anyone who works in an ice cream shop gets sore wrists,” Lalond told Bay News 9. Despite the challenges, he found joy in the work. “What I love is dealing with customers, making people happy, especially the kids. Everyone loves getting ice cream,” he said.

Lalond has owned Frosty Oasis since 2023, operating two locations: one in downtown Palmetto and the other on Anna Maria Island, which was more profitable. However, the damage from hurricanes Helene and Milton proved too costly to repair, leading to the permanent closure of the island shop.

“We had 80% of our life savings into the island location,” Lalond shared. “It was a dream we had built up, and we had established a great name in the community. We were just catching our stride.”

Now, Lalond is focused on growing the business in Palmetto, despite its challenges. “We don’t get as much business here. The marina is busy, and parking can be a challenge. We don’t have the tourist component that we did on Anna Maria Island,” he said. Nonetheless, he is optimistic about introducing new ideas to attract more customers. “We’re going to do some door hangers, which worked well for us on the island. We’re also going to introduce some new products,” Lalond said.

As he moves on, Lalond is closing one chapter of his business and staying focused on what remains, hoping to add food options to stand out and increase revenue.

Follow the St. Pete-Clearwater Sun on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Google, & X

(Image credit: Spectrum News/Julia Hazel)

PIE-Sun.com: local St. Pete-Clearwater news