Rainbow Sno-Cones relocating to Winter Park

Bob Homer had spent 19 years passing snow cones through the sliding window of Rainbow Sno-Cones — frozen treats from grape and chocolate to polar punch and tiger’s blood, a mix of coconut and strawberry. It had been a popular spot with a loyal following.

He never expected to leave. Not like this. Not when business was as good as it ever had been.

Homer had just paid his rent when he got the letter in early September from property owner Steve Kropp, telling him to vacate in 30 days. The rent had steadily increased over the years for his space off Corrine Drive in Audubon Park, Homer said, but he still found a way to get by. Now he was being evicted by a landlord he suspected was replacing him with a nearly identical business.

“It was very unfortunate,” said Homer’s wife Karen, who also works at the shop. “I don’t like to bash anybody, but I just think it was all in the plans from the start. It’s just an unfortunate situation, especially for us, when you’ve been there for 19 years, we had all that clientele built up and here we have to move.”

“We hope the people follow.”

Homer had been wary of his landlord for almost a year and a half, starting when a similar business, Ice Cream Treats and Eats, opened next door, separated by a half wall.

“The way I see it, I had more people coming in and was making a lot more money than they were,” Homer said.

But when Homer realized the ice cream shop’s owner was Kropp, the friendly competition turned ominous.

“It was an option for them to get me out and take over ... I heard they’re going to put in snow cones after I leave.”

The couple scrambled to find a new location, and quickly found a new space along Howell Branch Road about 6 miles away from their original window.

Unlike the old shop, customers can now walk inside and sit down to enjoy their snow cones. Homer said that this will keep customers coming even when there’s bad weather – not that it stopped customers in the past.

“About a month ago, these two older ladies in their 60s came all the way from Winter Garden during a torrential downpour,” Homer said.

“I said ‘Get back in the car, I’ll bring it to you.’”

Since the news broke out about the move, hundreds of loyal customers have flocked to the shop’s Facebook page in support.

Homer said that 70 to 80 percent of his customers now live closer to Rainbow Sno-Cones thanks to the move.

Back at Ice Cream Treats and Eats, Kropp admitted that he cut off Homer’s lease to expand Ice Cream Treats and Eats, and that they plan to sell Hawaiian shaved ice in Homer’s old space.

“I have bigger plans for that space and wanted to expand my operations,” Kropp said.

“It was month-to-month and I told him I wasn’t going to renew it. Nothing against Bob, I wish him well.”

Homer and his wife are looking for an attorney to get a better understanding of their legal rights. But Lonnie Groot, an attorney who serves as the city attorney in Oviedo, said that a property owner has every right to ask a tenant to leave as long as they give enough notice in advance.

Homer still feels upset over the relocation, despite finding a new home. Nearly two decades at his original location had brought countless memories: Children he served 19 years ago now bringing children of their own, the elderly women who drove all the way from Winter Garden every Sunday, joking with the kids and tossing snowballs through his window.

“It still bothers me, but right now I’m just trying to keep myself low key on it,” Homer said.

Homer said the new location for Rainbow Sno-Cones will be open by the end of this week, a fresh start for the frosty business.

As Homer and his wife finished painting and setting up shop at 3724 Howell Branch Road, a heavy rainstorm started. Homer couldn’t see the rain, but heard it loud and clear from behind the large windows taped with paper to keep the paint off. Moments later, the sun peaked through the clouds, reflecting through the millions of raindrops and creating a double rainbow on the horizon.

“It looks brighter now,” said Homer, looking out the front door of his new location.

Homer saw a bright future for Rainbow Sno-Cones as well.