It’s mid-afternoon on a dreary February day, but that doesn’t stop the steady flow of customers at Rain or Shine Ice Cream on West 4th. Husband and wife team Blair Casey and Josie Fenton launched the Kitsilano ice cream emporium back in 2013, and opened a second location in Cambie Village in 2015. The sweet couple had a sweet tooth and a love of ice cream, but couldn’t find any local shops selling pure, locally sourced frozen treats. They were daunted by the ingredients found in grocery store ice cream. “We try to eat healthy foods, why can’t our ice cream be healthy too?" Josie says. "We thought, let’s purify!”
Josie and Blair started making their own ice cream, churning at home and experimenting with flavours. They hosted tastings with friends, who loved the product and encouraged them to open their own venture. The pair had wanted to go into business together, and this was the perfect opportunity. Josie, a teacher, is the ideas person. Blair, a former businessman, is the practical one. When asked about mixing their personal and business lives together, Josie smiles. “It’s worked out well. It’s been fun, and rewarding.”
The name Rain or Shine felt “symbolic of Vancouverites,” Josie notes. It also had the optimistic tone they were after. Although a seasonal business to some extent, the lulls aren’t steep. There are rarely empty spells at the counter, even in the middle of winter. Besides, whoever said ice cream is just for summer?
