ORLANDO, Fla. -- It's just the kind of thing to cool off residents and visitors to Orlando: a bar made entirely of ice.

Video: Icebar Hopes Tourists Will Chill

But the new and unique business on International Drive is opening while many other businesses are failing.

It's 27 degrees in the Icebar, so gloves and a thermal cape are a must, and in this frosty economy, the new I-Drive attraction is hoping to heat things up

"We haven't put our whole life savings into this project, so we're willing to ride out the bad times that may occur," co-owner Wylie Plummer said.

Plummer admitted the timing isn't ideal. His business is opening at a time when families are struggling to afford gas and groceries, so shelling out $35 to chill out may be difficult.

"Most people are thinking they're so sad this is happening for everybody. We've got the credit crunch the same," Scotland visitor Lucy Dhillon said.

The man in charge of the ice sculptures said times are tough for all industries, especially his own.

"We're in the business of selling fluff, and in a downturn economy, people don't want fluff. Instead of steak and lobsters at corporate events, they're eating chicken," Bill Whidden said.

Icebar is banking on attracting European tourists who flock to International Drive on their vacations, but it also hopes to bring in Central Florida families, who are looking for entertainment but can't afford to travel.

"If people are going to cut back on their travel, we're thinking they'll cut back on long-distance travel and go to nearer locations -- take the family to Orlando as opposed to going to Europe or the Caribbean or some place," Plummer said.

The Icebar hopes to survive the economic crisis because it says it's not in direct competition with other businesses. It said it provides something completely different.

To comment on this story, send an e-mail to Aixa Diaz.

Additional Resource:

• Icebar Orlando Web Site