欧博百家乐California ice cream shop faces closure after
South Monterey County ice cream shop faces closure after 33 years
Updated: 11:23 AM PDT Mar 11, 2025
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Felix Cortez
Reporter
Lolita's Ice Cream on Soledad's Front Street is closing its doors next Monday after 33 years in business due to a rent increase."It's heartbreaking news, you know, because like I said, this is something like a tradition. I no longer live in Soledad, but every time I do come to Soledad, I make sure I make my pit stops," said Reyna Garcia, a loyal customer.The popular ice cream store is run by Maria Lopez, whose three sons have grown up in the place and now help run it, serving treats and lunches to generations of Soledad families."Since I was 7 years old, my parents always brought me here to buy ice cream, nachos, hotdogs," said Stephania Lopez, another long-time customer."For as long as I can remember. This is home for me. And now I'm lucky enough to have my twins. This is one of my babies. And to introduce them to the good stuff here in Soledad," Garcia added.The owner says her lease is up, and a new building owner wants to double the rent, which Lopez says she can't afford. The ice-cream shop is expected to close its doors next Monday."Many thanks to all my clients from all of Soledad. I see them as family because I have known them all this time," said Lopez, expressing her gratitude to her customers.The owner says thank you to all her customers and Soledad because she sees them like family.The hair salon next door is also impacted by the building sale, with the owner closing shop at the end of the month after more than 30 years in business due to the rent doubling. The building owner, Veronica Zavala, refused to comment when reached by phone. City leaders are now involved."They are looking at different options that may be available so they can continue with their businesses. The last thing we want is are our businesses that have been here for a long time to have to shut down. So we are working with them," said Soledad mayor Anna Velazquez. Staying here is not an option, as the places may already have new renters. Hopefully, both owners are successful in finding new locations, but they may not be on Front Street.See more coverage of top Central Coast stories | Download our app / Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
SOLEDAD, Calif. —
Lolita's Ice Cream on Soledad's Front Street is closing its doors next Monday after 33 years in business due to a rent increase.
"It's heartbreaking news, you know, because like I said, this is something like a tradition. I no longer live in Soledad, but every time I do come to Soledad, I make sure I make my pit stops," said Reyna Garcia, a loyal customer.
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The popular ice cream store is run by Maria Lopez, whose three sons have grown up in the place and now help run it, serving treats and lunches to generations of Soledad families.
"Since I was 7 years old, my parents always brought me here to buy ice cream, nachos, hotdogs," said Stephania Lopez, another long-time customer.
"For as long as I can remember. This is home for me. And now I'm lucky enough to have my twins. This is one of my babies. And to introduce them to the good stuff here in Soledad," Garcia added.
The owner says her lease is up, and a new building owner wants to double the rent, which Lopez says she can't afford. The ice-cream shop is expected to close its doors next Monday.
"Many thanks to all my clients from all of Soledad. I see them as family because I have known them all this time," said Lopez, expressing her gratitude to her customers.
The owner says thank you to all her customers and Soledad because she sees them like family.
The hair salon next door is also impacted by the building sale, with the owner closing shop at the end of the month after more than 30 years in business due to the rent doubling. The building owner, Veronica Zavala, refused to comment when reached by phone. City leaders are now involved.
"They are looking at different options that may be available so they can continue with their businesses. The last thing we want is are our businesses that have been here for a long time to have to shut down. So we are working with them," said Soledad mayor Anna Velazquez.
Staying here is not an option, as the places may already have new renters. Hopefully, both owners are successful in finding new locations, but they may not be on Front Street.
See more coverage of top Central Coast stories | Download our app / Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel