Shaved Ice Trailers

Anyone considering selling shaved ice needs to decide what type of business he or she will open, in what sort of location. In warm climates where you can sell shaved ice for all or most of the year, a permanent or co-branded location may be appropriate. In less temperate climates, you will need to decide between a mobile and a permanent location, which will likely determine what kind of equipment you need, including whether you want a cart or shaved ice trailer.

Portable Location Designs

Mobile shaved ice trailers can be used at fairgrounds and other special events. The main advantage of a mobile shaved ice operation is that you can move to wherever business will be. While this will not provide as much income as a permanent location, it can provide a great secondary source of income.

Alternatively, you might want to consider a semi-permanent location. These are fairly common in the shaved ice industry and involve setting up either a portable building or mobile trailer in the parking lot of a retail center or shopping mall. Shaved ice trailers normally operate three to six months of the year and are moved off-site during the colder months.

You might have found the perfect location, but you will still have to negotiate a lease with the property owner. Before doing this, it is often best to have looked at a few locations so that you have a better idea of how much you should be paying in rent. As shaved ice is a seasonal business, you should focus your research on the rents that other seasonal businesses pay in your area, or contact a vendor in the shaved ice business for more details.