COOL SEASONAL BUSINESSES FIND HOT SALES

It's July and it's snowing -- not the standard snow, but bubble gum, pina colada and tutti-frutti.

Making and dispensing snow-ice is a mini-business that can reap big profits during the warm weather months.

"Tropical Sno," "Hawaiian Snow" and "Snow to Go" are snow-ice operations that can be found in Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Scott City in Missouri, and Cairo, Anna and Herrin in Illinois, as well as a number of other communities throughout the area.

Included on the list of popular snow-ice flavors are grape, orange, cherry, cola, lemon-lime, pineapple and raspberry.

Snow-ice is a great way to cool down on a hot summer day, say people who are involved in serving the products.

"These are not traditional snow cones," explained Jeanie Atchison of Sesser, Ill. "It's different. Our machines produce shaved ice, not chipped ice."

The Tropical Sno business is a relatively new one for the Atchisons -- Kent and Jeanie -- who worked in an Oklahoma glass factory a number of years before relocating to Southern Illinois in 1989.

"The shaved ice business is ideal for people who want a summer business," said Mrs. Atchison. "We usually recommend opening from May through the Labor Day weekend."

The Atchisons, who opened five Tropical Sno operations in Southern Illinois about five years ago, are now distributors for the company and provide supplies for more than 50 operations, from Cairo to Effingham.

"We used to have the distributorship for areas in Southern Indiana, and around the St. Louis metropolitan area in Illinois," said Atchison. "At one time, we were supplying as many as 110 to 115 stores. We sold franchise operations in those latter two areas."

A number of teachers and college students have opened operations in Southern Illinois.

"It's not an easy business," said Mrs. Atchison. "The stands are open seven days a week, usually from noon to 10 p.m."

In Cape Girardeau, the process is much the same for Hawaiian Snow, located along Caruthers Street, near the Broadway-Caruthers intersection, and in the 1400 block of North Kingshighway.

Harold Kinder founded Hawaiian Snow two years ago.

"We now have six franchised operations and still maintain ownership of one," said Kinder, who also owns the Hawaiian Syrup International distributorship.

Kinder's son, Scott Kinder, operates the North Kingshighway facility.

Zoi Mowsadakox owns the franchise for the Caruthers operation, which is managed by her son, Bill Mowsadakox.

"We have two franchise operations at Jackson and one each in Scott City, Chaffee and Sikeston," noted Kinder.

The Atchisons "stumbled into" the Tropical Sno operation.

"We were supervisors at a glass factory that produced soda bottles," said Mrs. Atchison. "I was there more than 20 years and my husband worked there 16 years."

The Atchisons were looking for something new in their lives.

"We were still in Oklahoma, and one afternoon we noticed a small business that offered shaved ice treats," said Mrs. Atchison.

The Atchisons tried the treats.

"They were good," she said. "We looked into the business and found that the chain sold ice shaving treats with fewer than 25 calories, no fats, no cholesterol."

The Atchisons purchased distributing rights in Southern Illinois and started with five tropical snow stores.

Customers stood in lines at the Marion shop, which the Atchison operated themselves. "Business was good. We sold the Marion store and opened another ... then another.

"It seems that every time we opened a store, someone wanted to buy it," said Atchison. "We decided to establish start-up kits and sell kits and information on how to set up a store."

The Atchisons now own Andy Pandy Inc., a distributing business for Tropical Snow and its parent company, Pioneer Potato Co., headquartered in Salt Lake City.

The company is expanding again.

"We're looking north," said Mrs. Atchison. "We now have the eastern half of the state to and including Chicago."

The Atchisons say it costs about $7,000 to open a store -- $4,000 for the start-up kit, which include all supplies to open, and about $3,000 to build the stand.

Mr. Atchison is a salesman and marketing promotions person for the company, and Mrs. Atchison takes care of shop orders.

Although the treats are commonly compared with snow cones, the shaved ice in Tropical Sno holds the flavor longer, said Atchison.