Verkuilens move Britt’s to Lowdown Bee Supply building

One local ice cream and candy shop recently moved across Wittenberg in order to accommodate more customers.

Karla and Rick Verkuilen, who own and run Britt’s Ice Cream and Candy Shop, moved to the old A&W and Lowdown Bee Supply building in late May. The store opened on June 7. The new store is located at 602 E. Grand Ave. in Wittenberg.

“We heard that this building was up for rent because Lowdown Bee Supply was moving out,” said Karla Verkuilen. “There were other people interested in renting, but those plans fell through. When that happened, we just jumped on it.”

The Verkuilens made the move partly because they wanted more room in their store to bring more people in.

“Downtown gets really congested,” said Rick Verkuilen. “There is better parking here and more places where families can sit outside and play or hang out.”

Since they moved the business, Karla and Rick Verkuilen have noticed more people coming into the new store than the old store.

“Everyone likes when they come in here, because it used to be the old A&W building,” said Rick Verkuilen. “People really like to see how it has changed.”

Karla Verkuilen noticed that during Wittenberg Community Days, there was a constant flow of people coming in and out of the store.

“I was shocked and overwhelmed all weekend,” said Karla Verkuilen. “It was people after people after people.”

One thing that stuck out to Karla Verkuilen was the need for more employees. Britt’s Ice Cream and Candy Shop currently has 12 employees.

“I never really thought that I would ever have employees,” said Karla Verkuilen. “We definitely need all 12 people, with the space we have now.”

Rick Verkuilen said that the response from the community has been very positive at the new store.

“Before, there was not a whole lot of room to sit and enjoy ice cream, so they had to take it on the go,” said Rick Verkuilen. “Now people can actually sit, converse and catch up with each other.”

In terms of the uptick in business that they are seeing, Karla Verkuilen said that she was surprised to see so many people come into the store right away.

“We are going to have to hone in things to make sure that things are flowing a little bit better,” said Karla Verkuilen.

In order to run the store more efficiently, Rick Verkuilen spoke on some strategies.

“We are just trying to keep everything simple,” said Rick Verkuilen. “We are not frying anything — we have hot dogs, pizzas and wraps for food. We are just trying to keep everyone doing their job.”

Karla Verkuilen said that she is thrilled to see the community support for the store.

“The really cool thing about this is to see how excited people in the community are about this place,” said Karla Verkuilen. “We have had people helping us out. There was someone who made us picnic tables and someone who offered to paint the store.”

She called the store a community effort.

“It makes me kind of cry a little bit to see everyone helping out and being supportive,” said Karla Verkuilen. “It really touches my heart.”

The owners said that they are just trying to get their feet wet at the new location but have tentative plans for the future.

“We are eventually going to look at an electric brick oven for pizza,” said Rick Verkuilen. “We are also going to start holding birthday parties and other events like that.”

“I also want to introduce a make-your-own sundae bar at some point,” said Karla Verkuilen. “I want to include all of the toppings for a gourmet sundae bar.”

She concluded saying that she wants to keep the store changing and not let it get stagnant.

“I want this to be an experience for everyone coming in,” said Karla Verkuilen.

lreimer@newmedia-wi.com