As a member of the National Ice Cream Retailers Association, I get to visit some fun, WARM places every year. This year NICRA held its 76th convention in sunny and very warm (96 degrees) Scottsdale, AZ.
Yes, there is a convention for ice cream. There are a number of the guests in the hotel that are not there for the show trying to figure out a way to get themselves on the supplier floor to sample the hundreds of different ice creams. Sorry folks, you need a badge.
This year we had 300 attendees learning new ideas on promotions, menu items, marketing, allergens and more. The best part of the convention is talking to other shop owners from across the states who deal with the same ups and downs as I do. I walk away with a wealth of information on how to improve our daily operations and also came away with some great creative new ideas for events.
NICRA holds a contest for Best New Flavor and Best Coffee Flavor and this years winner was from the same shop in Pittsburgh PA, Mecurio's Mulberry Creamery. The Best New Flavor was Honey Sunflower and I must tell you, it was fantantic. The sweetness of the Honey with the salty taste on the sunflowers was an awesome combination. Watch for that one at Capannari's next season. Their Mocha Latte won Best Coffee flavor and not being a coffee drinker, I must say that was quite delicious too.
All in all, it was a great week to catch up with friends across the country and to learn some new ideas to bring back to Capannari's.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
YUM....Who loves Capannari Ice Cream's Pumpkin Pie?
Capannari Ice Cream is ramping the machines back up for the Thanksgiving Feast. We will be happy to set aside as many Pumpkin and Cinnamon Pies as you want. Nothing is better!
Just give us a call at 847-392-2277.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Some of the fun stuff that happened in 09 at Capannari Ice Cream
I know I just wrote that I need to look forward and say good riddens to 2009 but the more I thought about the year, I realize although the weather stunk, we did have some great things happen.
The year started out with a call for people to submit their thoughts on where the best ice cream shop in America was to AmericanAirlines.com The author was in search of some great independent ice cream stores. Our customers responded in force and made quite an impression on the author. After waiting on pins and needles, the article was published and WE MADE IT. Top Ten Ice Cream Destinations in America! Not bad.
The year started out with a call for people to submit their thoughts on where the best ice cream shop in America was to AmericanAirlines.com The author was in search of some great independent ice cream stores. Our customers responded in force and made quite an impression on the author. After waiting on pins and needles, the article was published and WE MADE IT. Top Ten Ice Cream Destinations in America! Not bad.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Saying goodbye to 2009
We closed the retail shop last night with about 10 pints of ice cream left...just made it.
We look back on 2009 as one of those years of endurance. Early on, we fretted terribly about the economy and if ice cream would too fall victim to cut backs. We worried our corporate catering would be hit hard by the looming "crash." Little did we know, it would be the weather that gave us the most trouble. Record rain in June, record low temps in July and a September and October that felt like November and December. Holy smokes, it got old. I am sad to close the door to the shop til March but I also feel like if we say goodbye to 09 we are saying goodbye to bad weather....who am I kidding!! Let's endure this winter by reaching down deep and bearing with it in HOPE that March will bring sunshine. The ecomony should be rolling back by then too. Here's to looking forward.
To all our customers who came rain or shine....thank you! We will miss you til March.
We look back on 2009 as one of those years of endurance. Early on, we fretted terribly about the economy and if ice cream would too fall victim to cut backs. We worried our corporate catering would be hit hard by the looming "crash." Little did we know, it would be the weather that gave us the most trouble. Record rain in June, record low temps in July and a September and October that felt like November and December. Holy smokes, it got old. I am sad to close the door to the shop til March but I also feel like if we say goodbye to 09 we are saying goodbye to bad weather....who am I kidding!! Let's endure this winter by reaching down deep and bearing with it in HOPE that March will bring sunshine. The ecomony should be rolling back by then too. Here's to looking forward.
To all our customers who came rain or shine....thank you! We will miss you til March.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
New Spin on Old Blog
I will be a contributing editor to the Capannari Blog, The Inside Scoop. This will be an exciting venture as we will be adding a number of new features. Watch for some fun info on recipes, culinary ideas, pairings, and fun facts on everything ICE CREAM.
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