09/29/2022
It is hard to put into words today the bittersweet feeling as this is my last day as the owner of Cold As Ice. Fifteen years ago a bricklayer and retired auto worker stumbled upon an opportunity and in my wildest dreams could I have imagined how rewarding it would be. The support from the town of Monroeville began on day 1 and has never ended. The first year was full of questions as I maintained my full time job as a bricklayer and after that shift ended I worked the evenings here. Dad and I had a few employees and we put in a lot of hours that first year loving every minute. The next layoff came and I hung up my tools and jumped in working at the store 7 days a week. My children were 1 and 4 at the time they spent many days here with me growing up in the store as they are now 15.5 and 19. The sacrifices were huge. Anyone who owns their own business can agree tor that, but it has been the most rewarding 15 years of my life. I mean who can say for most of those years I worked alongside my Dad and it will forever be the best memory for me. I can still hear him yelling about the dirty office down the hall lol!! Losing Dad in 2021 was incredibly difficult. He is everywhere in the store and shortly after his passing I lost my beautiful sister Brenda. It was at that time you realize life is so short and where do I want to go from here. I am content, but I also know time moves fast and we don't get it back. Several months ago an opportunity landed in my lap and I know in my heart that my Dad had a hand in this, maybe even my Mom and Brenda. The decision to move on was not an easy one. The emotional attachment by far is the hardest ,but it is time and I am excited to see what this next chapter brings.
Thank you to my sisters , my in-laws, and all of my nieces and nephews. The unending support of missed events and watching me sleep through well everything I do appreciate their patience. Tammy, Isabelle and Mason not sure I could do this without your love, support and patience all these years. Vacations without me, Holidays at the store, dinners where we up and leave mid salad, most snow days me hunkered down here for days and missed school events they may have been disappointed, but always understood. The one and only Megan Pifer and her husband Nate. Megan began here with Dad and I and she is more than my business partner. She is part of our family and really the only other person other than my wife that gets the rollercoaster of John Flicker. Thank you for your friendship and trust that my ideas may come at you a mile a minute and they are not all crazy lol!!
As for now I will be taking some time to rest, bug Megan down at Willard, and you never know where I may pop up again. I will miss our conversations the most and all the familiar faces you all have a special place in my heart. Thank you to all the current employees and all the employees who have been a part of the success of Cold As Ice. The last two years through Covid and beyond I am grateful for all the long hours and shifts to keep things going daily. I hope you welcome the new owners the same way you welcomed my Dad and I.
Go Blue!!
John Flicker
