[KathieI]

Yes, Sadly folks, our wonderful ice cream store owned by our very own TOTV members, JohnZ and Patty will be closing officially on Aug. 31 (today). After 5 years in business, they have chosen to close the business due to the economy and lack of customers. They tried to hang in their until the VA opened but with so many delays on that building, it will be impossible for them to carry this business any longer.

Their hours today will be 12 noon until 9:30 pm so if you want to get some delicious handpacked Brusters ice cream, it will be your last opportunity today. The Ocala store will continue to provide the same flavors and will accept their coupons and gift cards.
My personal note to John and Patty, I know you guys put your hearts and souls into this business and I am so sad to see this happening to you.
Please keep in touch with us and let us know what you are doing in the future. Good luck from your friends on TOTV... KathieI

[graciegirl]

I am sorry to hear this Kathie. And even sorrier to hear that our JohnZ and his wife were the owners.

Oh I wish this economic downturn would take an upturn.

So sad to hear this as well.

[golfnut]

Their ice cream was the best, good luck john and patty....gn

[Pturner]

JohnZ and Patty,

I'm sending you heart-felt hugs and much appreciation for your business and community contributions to TV. Times are tough. I wish you, and all of us, better times in the years to come.

Much love,
Pturner

[swrinfla]

Patty & JohnZ:



Keep us posted on what's happenin'

And, Patty: our off-line connection is gone, too! Wahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

SWR

[Patty]

Yes folks, KathieI is correct. We are closing our store today. John and I have put our hearts, love, hours upon hours of training staff (we provided 62 high school students with their very first jobs ever) and of course making the ice cream.
We are sad to close but it is truly the tale of these economic times. The franchise rights are for sale as well as the building and land. So if there is someone looking for a great opportunity for their 28-35 yr old "kids" - this would be it.
John and I will be over there for a while tonight so if you're in the neighborhood, please stop by and say hello.

Thanks for your support over the last 5 years.

[Mikitv]

So sad to hear Patty and John. It will be missed.

[Tweety Bird]

I loved their drive-through. Keep the AC on in the car and it doesn't have time to melt as you are licking away. So sorry you are closing. I wonder how a Carvel would do since they seem to specialize in custom ice cream cakes, or would they have the same problem staying in business?

[Barefoot]

Sorry to hear about Brusters closing. On a more positive note, perhaps johnZ will have more time for TOTV. I always enjoyed his posts so much!

[Boomer]

On our first visit to TV, we rented for a month in Chatham. That's when I found Bruster's. I quickly determined that it was my favorite ice cream in TV. (I confess to getting hooked on Bruster's chocolate malts.) A few months ago, we were in TV again. My ice cream fixes came from Bruster's that time, too.

Besides really liking the ice cream, there were two other things that really impressed me. There was an obvious pride in ownership that showed in how clean and beautifully kept the place was. I could also tell that the owners took the time to train the kids who worked there. The kids I saw were always on their "best manners" behavior.

The last time I was there, I remember thinking how good it would be for Bruster's when the VA opened nearby and I hoped that it would open soon. I am sorry to hear it has not yet opened.

It sure looked to me like the owners did everything they could for their business. So many people who have worked hard and tried to do everything right have been caught in this vicious economic meltdown, through no fault of their own.

I am so sorry that this has happened. It makes me sad to see empty commercial property and to think about what those empty properties represent.

I will miss Bruster's when I return to TV.

I wish the Bruster's owners all the best going forward.

Boomer

[chuckinca]

Very sorry to see Bruster's close - it had a feeling of an old time drive-in and had very good ice cream.

Where is the store in Ocala?


.

Originally Posted by chuckinca

Very sorry to see Bruster's close - it had a feeling of an old time drive-in and had very good ice cream.

Where is the store in Ocala?


.

Brusters in Ocala:

2707 E Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala, FL


(352) 622-2110

[2newyorkers]

Thank you for all the years and pounds of happiness you gave us. Brusters in the Villages was the best!

[Talk Host]

Ice cream sales require an extremely high volume of business to succeed.
You will notice that the "outparcels" around Bruster's (with the exception of the gas station) are empty.

Back when Bruster's was first planned, information was provided to the owners that those outparcels were committed. Apparently that information was not true. As a result of the misinformation given to the owners, they are now out of business and the residents are losing a wonderful treat.