A 19-year-old Wellington entrepreneur who turned years of savings into a popular ice cream business has been left devastated after thieves stole the cart that powered her entire operation.
Claudia Hopkins said she woke on Sunday to find her Sophia’s Real Fruit Ice Cream cart missing from its home on Wadestown Road. The theft has effectively taken away the core of the business she built from scratch after saving money since she was 16.
The stolen cart contained a real fruit ice cream machine worth thousands of dollars, along with brand-new fridges and other equipment needed to run the business. Hopkins said insurance should cover most of the loss if the cart is not recovered, but the emotional impact has been much harder to absorb.
“It’s really devastating,” Hopkins told Stuff, describing the shock of losing what was not just equipment, but the business she had worked for years to create.
First summer brought long customer lines
Sophia’s Real Fruit Ice Cream had only completed its first summer season, but it had already become a local success. Based in Oriental Bay, the cart regularly drew long lines of customers, with demand appearing from the first day of trading.
Hopkins said she had been nervous about launching the venture, but the response quickly proved there was strong demand in Wellington for the product.
“I was really nervous to open it, but on the first day we opened our doors, we had a line down the street, and since day one, we had a line the whole summer,” she said.
Even during winter, Hopkins continued bringing the cart out on especially nice days, keeping the young brand visible outside the main summer season.
While Hopkins’ challenge stems from theft rather than product issues, the case is another reminder of how quickly unexpected events can disrupt food businesses. The ice cream sector has faced other setbacks this year, including the Jeni’s Ice Cream allergy warning recall, which raised concerns among consumers and retailers.
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Police appeal for information after cart theft
The cart was covered in Sophia’s Real Fruit Ice Cream signage, making it highly recognisable. Hopkins said it would have been obvious to whoever took it that they were stealing from a small, young business owner.
She appealed directly to those responsible to return the cart.
“Give it back. I’m not sure why you would do that to such a young business owner,” Hopkins said.
Inspector Jason McCarthy, Wellington Area Prevention Manager, said police would like to hear from anyone with information about the theft. He said there were currently no lines of enquiry left to investigate, but police still wanted to reunite the trailer with its rightful owner.
“Small business owners already have it tough currently, and we know that losses like this can be devastating,” McCarthy said.
Anyone with information can contact New Zealand Police through the official 105 non-emergency reporting service and quote file number 260607/4031. Information can also be shared anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
Despite the theft, Hopkins said she does not plan to give up. With support from her parents, she hopes to rebuild and return for summer, although she admitted she now feels more nervous about reopening than she did before launching the business for the first time.
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