Tuesday, June 18, 2013

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Long standing shop offers relief from the heat
Posted: 06.19.2012 at 10:21 PM
Updated: 06.20.2012 at 6:25 AM
Abbie Burke

Abbie Burke is a general assignment reporter for FOX21 News.

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People lined up Tuesday for a cool treat at BJ's Velvet Freez as they tried to find a way to deal with record breaking temperatures.  / FOX21 News: Kurt Story
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COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- For a second straight day record highs were recorded in Colorado Springs. Tuesday people looking to cool off turned to an old standby - BJ's Velvet Freez. 

The ice cream shop has been serving up cool treats for nearly 60 years, and not much has changed since its debut in 1954.

"The Giffin family started it as a Tastee Freez when Union was just a gravel road here, and this was the very northeast part of town," Corey Houger, the shop's current owner, said.

Houger's father took over the shop in 1989, and he took over the business in 2003 when his dad was ready to retire.

"It's grown quite rapidly over the course of 60 years almost, and traffic keeps getting busier here on Union, and our business keeps improving," Houger said.

Tuesday temperatures topped out at 97 degrees.

"It's crazy hot. It's absolutely insane," Heather Jackson, a longtime customer, said.

"It's ridiculous," Cypress Hansen agreed.

But Houger is in the business of cooling people off and said he welcomes the heat wave.

"I'm in the ice-cream business so I love it! Bring on the heat!" he said.

Although the business continues to grow, not much about it has changed, including the size of the building.

"Partly is the cost, the equipment cost, and the other part is too it's difficult to replicate a store that's been around 60 years," Houger said.

And for many it's that old time feel that they love so much.

"I've been coming here since I was 6," Jackson said. "It's tradition I guess, and great prices, and it's always yummy," she added.

"I've grown up in this town. I've been here since I was a little boy, and I remember this place when I was like 6 or 7 years old," Bob Campbell, another customer, said. "They've got these great signs in there, small business man, real work ethic, and real historical, yeah I love this place."

Houger said in addition to the recent hot days the warm spring this year also has helped his business. He said sales are up 10-12 percent.

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