PENDLETON — Business is beginning to get back to normal — just in time for summer —at Yummerful, a downtown Pendleton location for hand-dipped ice cream, shakes and other treats.

Co-owner Tammy Baker said COVID-19 did a number on sales — and that number was 80%, referring to the drop in sales.

But the toughest times appear to be in the past. Yummerful started extended hours last month (4 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, noon to 8:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays) and business is picking back up, Baker said.

Writing in an email to The Times-Post, she said, “business is good.”

Business: Yummerful

Address: 125 W. State St.

Phone number: 765-221-9115

Owner(s) names: Tammy and Ryan Baker

Number of employees: 5

Years in business: 2.5

Business services: ice cream, restaurant

What made you decide to open your own business?

Be a part of community.

What made you choose Pendleton?

We live there —we are newer residents, having only lived here four years.

What were the first few years of business operation like — do you have any memorable challenges, successes and/or failures?

The first year was learning, a lot of learning! Second year was COVID, and we didn’t open to July, and sales were down 80%, costing thousands. Opened back up March 1, 2021 and things are getting back to normal, business is good and sales are increasing.

What is your proudest achievement?

Getting through 2020, we did it, we decided to survive, that we wanted to give it another shot in 2021.

What do you consider to be the biggest challenge overall to running a business?

COVID, by far! Second-biggest challenge is reliable staffing and training of employees.

What is the most rewarding part of running a business?

Being creative and building relationships with the community, for sure.

What are your future plans?

To continue to be relevant, to build sales and stay in the community.