While this year's mild weather has been an economic loss for many seasonal winter businesses, it is proving beneficial for a lot of others. A good example, ice cream shops.
As our Melissa Kakareka tells us, many of them opened their doors for the season earlier than usual.

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SOUTHERN TIER, N.Y. -- Business is booming for many ice cream shops across the region.

Steven Kallfelz, Humdinger’s owner said, “Normally I shoot for St. Patrick’s Day and it rains so this is a huge start for the year.”

Record high spring temperatures have brought larger than normal crowds for ice cream shops celebrating their first week of the season. Other shops like Smarty’s in Endicott have opened their doors several weeks early in order to cash in on the extra business.

Marty Palombo, Smarty’s owner said, “For an in town ice cream store March and April are huge because June and July you start backyard parties and vacations so weekends in June and July and kind of slow but March and April are most important.”

Many customers said they are excited that they don’t have to wait until April or May to get a taste of their favorite ice cream flavor.

Clarissa Davis, Binghamton resident said, “It’s just nice to come back from the winter and have it here and there’s nothing that can stop you from having it.”

Bringing in a sweet start to summer no matter what date the calendar says.

Eric Juliussen, Nineveh resident said, “When you think of ice cream you don’t think of cold weather so if you’re eating ice cream you are definitely looking forward to the summer.”

With record high spring temperatures expected to continue, many business owners say they are hoping the weather will help them kick off one of their best ice cream seasons ever.