Residents of Penticton are upset by the news that the iconic concession on the lake shore Peach ice cream will close the store and will acquire new operators. On Sunday, The Peach Facebook page made the final announcement that they would close their doors, thanking the community for its business and saying that the Calgary-based Family Squeezed Lemonade is their successor. “Peach as you know it today has not been awarded a contract by the city of Penticton for the next three years,” wrote the company, owned by Diana Stirling of LocoLanding, Lickety Splitz and Coyote Cruises. “From the bottom of my pit – thank you for all the wonderful moments we have shared.” The information spread like wildfire on the internet and the comments sections on social media were full of messages of frustration and anger, with many asking for the business to remain local and in Stirling’s hands. City staff said Monday that the people who will operate the municipal booth are indeed locals, members of a larger Calgary-based business family, and that the building will remain a peach-themed peach on the menu. The Peach ice cream parlor, which has been operating there since 2016 selling its iconic Crazy Shakes, participated in the RFP process this winter, hoping to keep the site for another three years, but was not selected. As of mid-Monday morning, an online report has been launched calling for the decision to be annulled with more than 1,800 signatures. Peach’s favorite menu will be transferred to Lickety Splitz ice cream, which is located across Lake Okanagan on Lakeshore Drive at the west end of the beach. Family Squeezed Lemonade, in other locations, offers fresh fruit juices, creative ice cream and snacks. The concession attracted a total of three bids from the period from February 24 to March 23. The city states that the applications were evaluated by a committee with a decision based on four criteria: business plan, experience, products and pricing, and license fee. “We’re excited to be at Penticton bringing all the local and peachy things to our deliberate Okanagan delicacies,” said company spokeswoman Jennifer Andrews. “Hiring locals, using local ingredients and supporting local businesses has always been our passion.” The departing team from Operation The Peach wished the new pilots. “I hope the new ‘Family Squeezed Lemonade’ from Calgary will be loved [the Peach building] so as [it’s] loved by the LocoLanding family. “ In addition to awarding the Peach concession for 2022, the municipality has also awarded a contract for the execution of the Sudbury Beach concession at the Nauti Dog Café, which will be run by Randy and Karen Gallagher, from May to September and offering cold drinks, pastries , lunch options and ice cream.
