Tara Schaffer is the owner of The Sundae Times, in the main business area of Regina Beach. It is a seasonal operation, usually only open from the May long weekend to Labour Day. There is a long line up to order ice cream treats, especially on weekends during the summer months. There are times when that line up even extends around the block, with people standing in the hot summer sun and waiting their turn to enjoy something cool. Schaffer says, to see this same enthusiasm on a cold winter’s day was equally refreshing, “We’ve been thinking about opening for a “winter fun day” for the last few years. The weather this January finally cooperated with a balmy -1 as opposed to -20. And, we certainly all need some fun right now in this uncertain world!”
She refers to the one-day opening as a Winter Fun Day, in lieu of other winter festival gatherings, which have all been cancelled this year due to the pandemic. And with that, and keeping social distancing restrictions in mind, Schaffer says 500 people made it a part of their day to get out and enjoy some community interaction and celebration, which has been absent for months due to Covid19, “It was an opportunity to provide a safe place to bring the community together in an outdoor environment. I was tired of staring at the same four walls and assumed others felt the same way (cabin fever!) The REAL “treat” was seeing people enjoy visiting with other people and just being plain happy. I could see the smiles behind all of the masks.”
The one-day opening was embraced and appreciated, as the Sundae Times Facebook page was soon flooded with images of smiling children, who were able to take a break from the pandemic-norm.
Families, like that of Jamie Perkins, say, the opportunity to get out and do something different, during this time, definitely brightened the spirit, “When the Sundae Times closes for the season, summer is truly over, and we start to think back on the best parts of the summer. This little bright spot, of opening for a day in the winter, reminded us that summer would come again. Everyone there, enjoying each other’s company, was truly delightful.”
At the end of the day, the Sundae Times limited Sold out of everything on the one-day menu, hot dogs being the first to go. At first, Tara admits that she only purchased 75 of them but decided to buy more hot dogs at the last minute. Good thing, too, because within the first hour, all of those 300 tube treats were gone.
As for considering opening again during the winter months in an effort to beat the winter blahs, Schaffer says absolutely. Weather-dependent, another special day of ice cream and smiles is on the agenda, at some point during this otherwise, trying point in time.
By Carol Rose GoldenEagle