Farewell to Costa: Salzgitter-Bad says goodbye to 43 years of ice dreams

Farewell to Costa: Salzgitter-Bad says goodbye to 43 years of ice dreams

On Sunday, September 28th, the time had come: the popular Costa ice cream parlor in Salzgitter-Bad finally closed its doors after more than 43 years. For many residents, this place was much more than just an address for delicious ice cream; it was a meeting place full of memories, laughter and friendship. The atmosphere on the last day was emotional and festive at the same time, as news38.de reported. The café has been full since Thursday. Many customers stood in long lines to treat themselves to one last ice cream, with most ice cream flavors sold out by 4 p.m. on Sunday. It was clear that people came not only for the ice cream, but also for the warm atmosphere that the married couple Mirca and Massimo Costa had created over the years.

“It was like a second living room for many of us,” said a nostalgic neighbor who enjoyed his coffee there every morning. Hugs and tears flowed as regulars shared memories from days gone by; Even selfies were taken to record this farewell. Mirca Costa, who so aptly summed up the emotional significance of the closure, explained that she and her husband did not expect to shed so many tears. Their sights were already set on returning to Italy, where they would like to spend time with their family and grandchildren. Before the big farewell, the loyal guests presented the couple with a certificate of honor thanking them for 43 years of friendship and security.

The path of a popular ice cream parlor

The Costa ice cream parlor was taken over by Mirca and Massimo Costa 43 years ago. From the beginning they were known for their friendliness and warmth, which made the café an indispensable part of the community. Many customers have a long history with the ice cream parlor, starting from their childhood days through their current adult lives. A bond that was formed through eating ice cream together and that now seems to be over with the end of the café. The location on Burgundenstrasse could soon see new tenants, but the future remains uncertain.

Ice cream parlors have a long tradition in Germany, closely linked to the Italian ice cream culture, which began with the immigration of Italian families to the Federal Republic. The first ice cream parlors emerged in the 18th century and have developed into popular places to this day where generations meet to share the sweet pleasure. Even though ice cream consumption has fallen in recent years, it remains stable at around 8 liters per year, as katchi-ice.com points out. This shows that the love for ice cream is still unbroken.

Nevertheless, the catering industry faces challenges; Pandemic-related restrictions and the energy crisis have put a lot of strain on many ice cream parlors. Innovative approaches, including the introduction of vegan ice cream flavors and adjustments to service, have become necessary in order to survive in the competition. The closure of the Costa ice cream parlor reminds us how important such social spaces are for our well-being and neighborhood cohesion. Even when a chapter ends, the memories of the countless moments shared there remain.