As summer heats up in Sioux Falls, so does the city’s roadwork season—and for local businesses like Polar Bites, the impact is more than just a detour. The seasonal shaved ice and sweet treat shop on 41st Street is now navigating a major challenge: the Cliff Avenue Interchange construction that’s affecting visibility and access to their storefront.

On Thursday, Polar Bites took to Facebook to remind loyal customers they’re still open, despite the flurry of orange cones, heavy trucks, and road closures that make it look like the whole street is shut down. The post sparked an outpouring of community support, but for owner Jessica Rooney, the construction came as an unwelcome surprise.

“We found out about the closures a little late in the game and have been looking for ways to adapt,” Rooney said.

Though summer is typically a time of booming business—think pool days, outdoor fun, and icy treats—this season has brought an unexpected setback. Polar Bites relies on walk-up and drive-by traffic to sustain operations during its limited annual run, usually open only from spring through summer. Now, sales have dropped by 50% since the construction began.

“Even though we’re not open September through March, we still pay the same every month in rent and our insurance doesn’t stop and all of that stuff doesn’t stop, so our summers need to be big enough to kind of carry us through. This is it. This is our crunch time,” Rooney explained.

While traffic disruptions have put a dent in revenue, Rooney is trying to see the silver lining. The construction crews themselves offer a new potential customer base.

“I’m hoping maybe they’re hot one day and need to come get a treat. We’re right down the street, so they can just walk on by on their break from working outside and grab a shaved ice, grab an ice cream and walk on back,” she said with a hopeful smile.

And despite the setbacks, Rooney still finds joy in the business—especially when seeing kids leave with colorful, sticky smiles.

“There’s nothing like that blue smile that walks away after having a snow cone yelling, ‘Thank you!’” she said.

Luckily, Polar Bites isn’t confined to one location. With two mobile trailers and catering services, they’re able to stay active in the community, from events to private bookings. This flexibility helps mitigate the losses at their brick-and-mortar shop, but it doesn’t fully replace the foot traffic they depend on.

Rooney is confident that once the roadwork is complete, it could actually benefit the business in the long term—wider streets, better access, and more visibility.

“Yes, when it’s done, it’s going to be amazing. When they re-pave and have all the wider streets and beautiful roads that are easier to get through, it’s going to be great. I wouldn’t be surprised if we have more traffic. It’s just weathering out the storm in between,” she said.

In the meantime, Rooney says the response to their social media update has been unexpectedly heartening.

“The support we’ve received in just one day since our Facebook post has been overwhelming and wonderful,” Rooney said.

She hopes other small businesses affected by construction will also find ways to endure—and that local customers will continue to show up for the places that add a little sweetness to their day.

Originally reported by Parker Brown in Dakota News Now.