Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - It's been a hot summer throughout Western New York, and the heat is not quite ready to subside.
Temperatures over the last couple of days have climbed into the 90s across the region, with one more day of above average figures before some relief on the thermometer. However, some lasting relief from the excessive heat may not come until later in the month, heading into the end of summer in Western New York.
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"This is some of the worst heat I've seen in years. Of course, we had a winter to match this past winter, so I wouldn't expect anything else," said Ben from Boston in an interview with WBEN.
One way people have been attempting to beat the heat locally is by heading to their local ice cream shop for some delectable treats to cool off.
"Ice cream all the time and the beach, those are my two favorite things for summer," said Dylan from Forestville with WBEN.
While Heidi from Eden admits she doesn't mind the heat so much, she feels she's been able to beat it with some of her closest friends.
"We like the ice cream. We've done this how many weeks in-a-row now? Our Monday nights, we're going out and having ice cream, the four of us," Heidi said with WBEN.
Meanwhile, Carolyn from Springville says she's been finding herself spending more money at the ice cream shop this year compared to years past, especially since her home doesn't have central air.
"I like to bake a lot, and I haven't baked in months because it's just too hot to turn on the oven. So we turn to ice cream in the summer, I guess," Carolyn said with WBEN.
For local ice cream shop owners, the influx of business has been noticeable due to the hot weather in Western New York.
"There are certain things that come with hot weather that makes ice cream and our lemon ice very popular. People are hot and they need refreshments, so we want to be that," said Holly Anderson, owner and CEO of Anderson's Frozen Custards with WBEN. "Some people stay home, some people stay in their air conditioning, wherever they can be to stay cool. But we are very grateful they come out to Anderson's."
Howard Cadmus, owner of Sweet Jenny's in Williamsville knows Western New Yorkers are avid ice cream supporters, no matter if it's oppressive heat or a blizzard in the middle of winter.
"Obviously there's a marked increase in business when it's very hot, because people are out-and-about," said Cadmus in an interview with WBEN. "It's not just someone popping in for a milkshake or for an ice cream cone while they're running errands, it's whole families coming and really having a good time sitting outside, and groups of families who are friends having some ice cream at our place, and then walking Glen Falls, which is behind us and picturesque and beautiful. So this weather has been great for those kinds of interactions."
While Cadmus knows higher temperatures doesn't always equate to blockbuster numbers through the doors, there's more to bringing in members of the community on a regular basis.
"I think the one thing we have is we're not just a stand in line and order from a stand kind of an ice cream place. We have an inside with our chocolates and our seating as well, so people are able to come inside and beat the heat so it's not as oppressive as it is sometimes. But I would say it's a good year," Cadmus said. "I don't want to say it's our best until I've looked at the numbers, just because I'm a figures guy, but I know I've been working harder than ever, and my staff of 27 people or so has been working harder than ever."
So what have been some of the more popular items selling this summer, especially on a blistering hot day?
"Two things pop into my head: Of course, a milkshake, but that's because it's such a delicious shake, but we also have our strawberry sensation, which is strawberry and lemon ice and some lemon lime soda, which is phenomenal. It's just so refreshing," Anderson said. "And, of course, you gotta throw in a little bit of water. Just be drinking water. Some people come in just say, 'Just give me water,' Which we all need when it's this hot."
As for Cadmus, he's noticed quite a popular demand for the grab-and-go items like ice cream sandwiches and cookie ice cream sandwiches.
"Certainly shakes are always very popular, because it's convenient. I think people don't always realize that because you're blending it down, it's an entire pint of ice cream, or four giant scoops. So when you're getting a shake, you're certainly getting your ice cream fix in," Cadmus noted. "But I think it's the flavors that change when it's the heat. I don't know that it's so much what they consume as the type. So like our lavender honey, or things like sorbets, which are fruit and sugar like mango sorbet, lemon sorbet, something that makes you feel refreshed."
Cadmus adds Sweet Jenny's is also helping out families this summer that need to find some relief from the heat, but may struggle to make ends meet.
"We do have something called the 'Good Neighbors Fund', so if somebody is struggling, because we know the rising cost of all things can be difficult right now, I don't want that to prohibit them from coming and bringing their family," Cadmus said. "We will give ice cream to someone if they're in dire financial straits, or if they're just having a hard time."