Firehouse Ice Cream, the popular malt shop and lunch counter at 1120 Second St. in downtown Perry, announced Friday it will close its doors at the end of the month after four years in business.
“Our last day will be June 30,” the Firehouse Facebook page announced Friday. “We would first like to thank everyone who supported our business. It was our pleasure to serve you.”
Perry’s small-business retail sector is uneven, with some older shops closing while new ones open. ThePerryNews.com shares the struggles of a startup company such as Firehouse Ice Cream.
“We have struggled to make a profit the past four years,” the announcement said. “We were hoping after the first year we would begin to make a profit. That didn’t happen.”
The announcement was met by the store’s customers with dismay but also gratitude.
“I’m sorry,” said one facebook fan. “I will miss walking in and having a cheerful smile. I’ll miss the Polish coneys and tuna fish with onions. Mostly I will miss the yummy ice cream.”
Another customer noted it is “hard to make food businesses in Perry turn profits. Thank you for your time being open.”
The owners said they will not be ordering any new supplies except for hamburgers, French fries, ice cream and a few other things and apologized in advance to customers who might have a hankering for a Polish sausage.
