Cool comfort: Ice cream shop eyeing profits, expansion

When Dale and Joan Lance first hatched the idea of opening Lance's Sundae Best Ice Cream Shoppe, they wanted customers to be able to make their own sundaes.

The Connecticut-natives first came upon the concept on a trip to New Hampshire, where they witnessed a make-your-own sundae store with "lines out the door," said Joan.

Having lived in Mooresville for the last 11 years, the Lances, now in their late-50s, decided to make their idea a reality.

"It's something we had in the back of our minds for years, and we figured we should do it now," Joan said, adding with a laugh: "We're not getting any younger."

The Lances began looking for a place to open their store, settling on a place in Marathea Plaza off US Hwy. 21, just down from Mooresville Municipal Golf Course.

They opened in February 2007.

Unfortunately, zoning restrictions limited the amount of usable space in the 1,200 square foot store, keeping the Lances from offering the make-your-own sundae option.

Instead, they built momentum over the summer with a menu consisting of 48 flavors of Hershey's ice cream, including eight soft serve flavors, milkshakes, smoothies and a full complement of ice cream cakes.

Their goal is to add the make-your-own sundae option over the winter, which will include topping and candies of all kinds.

"We're still working it," Joan said, adding they hope to offer the make-your-own option this month. "People are still hearing about us."

In the meantime, the Lances are using the winter slow season to catch their breath and gear up for warmer weather.

Starting Up: Approximately $100,000, considerably more than the Lance's originally estimated. Although a lot of the refrigeration equipment was given by Hershey's in exchange for the Lance's continued business, costs for the building and décor exceeded all estimates.

Done in an old-fashioned style, the design includes a 10 foot mirror with the store's menu, old-fashioned ceiling fans and cement floor stamped with ice cream cone designs.

"We thought the cost would be a whole lot less," Joan said. "I think I would have had cold feet if I had known it would be this much."

Employees: Four total-two full-time and two part-time during the off-season. More are hired during the busy summer months. Joan estimates she currently is working 40 hours to 45 hours a week, but that total quickly snowballs during the warmer months.

As the store is open seven days a week, having her sister help manage the store has been a blessing.

"It helps you feel comfortable when you have a day off," Joan explained.

Goals: Due to start-up costs, the Lance's expected to operate at a loss the first year. "I didn't expect it to be so slow this time of year, but I guess it comes with the territory," Joan added.

Future goals include possible expansion, most likely north into the Troutman area, but first things first.

The Lances are expecting a busy summer, and are excited about being able to offer the make-your-sundae option as well.