Belts’ Soft Serve plans opening for 44th season

By Brandi Makuski

It’s a true sign that spring is nearly here.

Belts’ Soft Serve opens for its 44th season in business on March 1 at 11 a.m.

Co-owner Cole Racine said the first 25 customers in line will receive the 2024 Belts’ t-shirt. He’s also working on bringing in collectors’ pint glasses again, but that’s still the works, he said.

Hiring staff for this year’s season should be wrapped up by week’s end, he said.

Historically, Belts’ has attracted diehard fans who camp out overnight in ice shanties or tents to be among the first in line for the season.

Racine said he’s seen the number of opening-day campers ebb and flow over the years, but he’s got no doubt it is going to be a busy season.

“Hopefully the weather will be a bit more fortuitous this year, it’s been a pretty mild winter so far,” Racine told the Metro Wire on Feb. 19. “So if we have camping folks, I hope it’s good weather so the revelry is more exciting. I always get excited this time of year, it’s always exciting to see our customers return each year, and it’s exciting to have spring right around the corner.

Belts’, 2140 Division St., is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.