North Texas might have seen its last day above 100 degrees for 2023, but after a long summer, businesses are now looking ahead. The National Weather Service says DFW Airport has hit 100 degrees 53 times this year, the fourth most on record.
At Curly's Frozen Custard in Fort Worth, Owner Bourke Harvey says the hot summer has helped his business, but even he had to make changes with more people coming through his drive-thru instead of sitting outside.
"Summer's been really, really good despite the record heat wave," he says. "That's tough, but at Curly's, we've got our drive-thru which means you don't get out of your car."
Curly's has misters and shade to cover parts of the patio. Harvey says he planted two live oak trees when he opened the business 21 years ago that also provide shade.
"Now when we hit days that are 95 or 96, me and you feel great compared to what we've had," he says. "We're defnitely seeing more people outside with our shade cover."
One of Curly's most popular seasonal flavors of frozen custard is Parker County Peach. As sales have increased, Harvey says he has reached out to farms he works with to increase orders.
As more people move to the Metroplex, Harvey says Parker County Peach can also introduce people from other parts of the country to the types of produce prodced locally.
"You know what? They get a full flavor of it the moment they put it in their mouth, and they're like, 'Holy moley that's good,'" he says. "Yep, it really is. Parker County peaches, you can't beat 'em."
Harvey owns two other restaurants in Tarrant County: JD's Hamburgers and Rogers Roundhouse. He says customers at those spots have also avoided sitting on patios or decks.
"At JD's Hamburgers, our indoor seating has been packed every single day, every single night, but when it's 110, not many people were sitting outside," he says.
Despite the heat, Harvey says he is already planning for winter, and he says the drop in temperatures into the 70s and 80s this week has led to customers asking about cold weather treats.
"Believe it or not, people are already asking, 'Where's your hot chocolate?'" he says. "I say we've got it and they say they want it. It's 96, and you'd think there's a cold front coming through."
Harvey says he is also looking ahead to serving more chili once fall arrives.
Curly's Frozen Custard is located on Camp Bowie near Crestline just west of the Fort Worth Cultural District.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Tell your Smart Speaker to "PLAY 1080 KRLD"
Sign Up to receive our KRLD Insider Newsletter for more news
Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
