The hot weather pattern can heat up some businesses that thrive when temps climb

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - With so many people seeking relief from excessive heat, some businesses say they are looking forward to it.

That includes anyone with refreshing drinks, ice cream, frozen yogurt, and water sports activities.

Anyone working at, or operating those businesses should expect the upcoming weekend to be busy.

Lines have already been running long at some of the Santa Barbara ice cream locations well into the evening hours.

The hot weather is bad for the lingering drought issues but good for those in the business of heat relief, although there is a backlash when it gets too hot and residents don't even want to venture out of their homes.

As the heart of the summer season winds down, this could also be a solid economic boost after a summer without a full rebound from the pandemic.

That includes those selling water sports and outdoor gear.

Maria Rangel is the owner of SB Sweets in the Paseo Nuevo Mall.

"I'm ready.  I'm ready  for everybody," said Rangel as she was making shakes and crepes.

A downtown worker on a break wanted something lighter than a heavy meal.
Brigitte Park, said, "just cuz I like something sweet after lunch so it has a little bit of fruit. It is really cool you can add a variety of toppings.  You can add ice cream and stuff.  Yeah. I think it is a good way to cool down."

Rangel said, "milk shakes, we have aqua fresca we have watermelon- strawberry, horchata,  we also have jicama and cucumber lime with chia. so they always come and get the aqua fresca from here. "

Shakira Miracle sat with a cold drink at Mosaic in the 1100 block of State, "you can be very creative, there's all kinds of horchata, and other aqua frescas as well. A variety down here. "

For those who want to tap in to something alcoholic,  at Draughtsman Aleworks on State Street,  it was the choice after a workout.

Andrew Lemley was in about 1:30 p.m. for a pint and said he wasn't waiting until later in the day.
"No they open at 11 ," he said. "It helps me relax after a hard workout. As long as you don't have too many."

For those who work inside, with air conditioning, "sometimes I don't really understand how hot it is until I am outside," said Park. "Because I'm actually cold inside my workplace.   I'm wearing a jacket."