Popular Ice Cream Chain Ample Hills Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

[TrainsOfDisney]

Interesting breakdown of what happened to Ample Hills

What an interesting article. I no longer feel bad for the founders... it seems like dumb luck that they were as successful as they were.

(P.S. Salt & Straw is 10x better anyways)

 

[the.dreamfinder]

Super interesting factoid in the article, the Disney Springs location would have cost them $375,000/year in rent.

 

[DznyGrlSD]

Also... $375k for their Springs location?? woof.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Super interesting factoid in the article, the Disney Springs location would have cost them $375,000/year in rent.

And most of the leases also include a cut of revenue.

 

[Magic Feather]

Super interesting factoid in the article, the Disney Springs location would have cost them $375,000/year in rent.

Wow, I knew DS rents were crazy, but its interesting to finally see a concrete number; especially for a smaller space in a non-prime location.

 

[monothingie]

And most of the leases also include a cut of revenue.

Not to mention the cost of construction/renovation.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Not to mention the cost of construction/renovation.

Yep, which costs a little more since it has to be reviewed and approved by Walt Disney Imagineering.

 

[DznyGrlSD]

And most of the leases also include a cut of revenue.

typically 6%.

 

[oogie boogie man]

I know this is an old post, but it's definitely been ruined.

It has no sense of place anymore. The only reason to go in there was the 1950s style diner theming; now the whole place just looks generic. I would not recommend anyone go there post refurb, and I certainly have no interest in going now. It's like if they gutted the Sci-Fi Drive In to remove the theme and just filled it with random tables and booths while serving the exact same food -- who in the world would want to go there?

It's honestly one of the worst refurbs Disney has ever done in terms of demolishing the appeal of the place. My assumption (because it's the only thing that makes sense) is that they simply didn't understand the reason it was a popular spot. It wasn't because people absolutely loved the ice cream and other food.

I agree completely, it looks like a temporary plain room like Mousegears has currently. Gone is the charm and 1950's diner feel that it once had.

 

[runnsally]

Interesting breakdown of what happened to Ample Hills

I hope someone forwarded this to Gideon’s

 

[Magic Feather]

I hope someone forwarded this to Gideon’s

They aren't even close to having the same issues, thankfully. One could almost argue that they have been limiting their own growth, but I'm under the impression that the owner plans to keep it smaller.

 

[runnsally]

They aren't even close to having the same issues, thankfully. One could almost argue that they have been limiting their own growth, but I'm under the impression that the owner plans to keep it smaller.

For their sake, here’s hoping. Certainly interesting to see what happens when a mom-and-pop expands into one of the highest rent storefronts in America during a pandemic. Maybe Chapek can suggest a special breakfast cookie for GMA if things go south.

 

[DznyGrlSD]

Why are y'all CONSTANTLY crapping on Gideon's? It's getting old.

 

[Rambozo]

I'd be cool with a Disney based Ice Cream place (ex. Boardwalk Ice Cream). This way they can really theme it well to it's environment.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I'd be cool with a Disney based Ice Cream place (ex. Boardwalk Ice Cream). This way they can really theme it well to it's environment.

So a new style Mickey Ice Cream Parlor?

 

[Rambozo]

So a new style Mickey Ice Cream Parlor?

Nah, more like Plaza Ice Cream Parlor with possibly more candy toppings.

 

[runnsally]

Nah, more like Plaza Ice Cream Parlor with possibly more candy toppings.

And preferably not Edy’s...

 

[JusticeDisney]

I know this is an old post, but it's definitely been ruined.

It has no sense of place anymore. The only reason to go in there was the 1950s style diner theming; now the whole place just looks generic. I would not recommend anyone go there post refurb, and I certainly have no interest in going now. It's like if they gutted the Sci-Fi Drive In to remove the theme and just filled it with random tables and booths while serving the exact same food -- who in the world would want to go there?

It's honestly one of the worst refurbs Disney has ever done in terms of demolishing the appeal of the place. My assumption (because it's the only thing that makes sense) is that they simply didn't understand the reason it was a popular spot. It wasn't because people absolutely loved the ice cream and other food.

Respect your opinion, but I completely disagree. It’s still a fun spot to hit, and people are drawn there for the kitchen sink experience alone. As for your claim that Disney didn’t understand the reason it was a popular spot, I’ll bet you a nickel the place is still always packed.

 

[UNCgolf]

Respect your opinion, but I completely disagree. It’s still a fun spot to hit, and and people are drawn there for the kitchen sink experience alone. As for your claim that Disney didn’t understand the reason it was a popular spot, I’ll bet you a nickel the place is still always packed.

I wouldn't be surprised if it's still packed either because there's nowhere else to get ice cream in the area unless you go inside EPCOT (now that Ample Hills is closed) and WDW attendance is so high year round.

It's just a generic restaurant now. It has no theme. The interior look and the small, intimate setting was the reason it was originally popular.

 

[Bocabear]

It is still always packed....Shame they ruined the feel of it when they expanded... It is always shocking to me that the leader in the world of themed entertainment continues to miss the mark so spectacularly.