What is the best way to attract customers to an ice cream shop?

I just opened a small window service shop in a busy downtown location. I have our open flag and our open sign out. This is only my third day being open, but business is not going anywhere near the way I was hjoping it would. I know our prices are good. What can I do as a promotion or gimmick to get people to hand over their money. I think the problem is that people do not realize that we are here! I really want to make this work, as I have spent alot of money and will be spending alot of time on this. Any suggestions willbe appreciated. Thanks.

Free samples are an awesome idea.

Put helium balloons outside every day--they attract attention.

Make flyers and walk around to the businesses downtown. Introduce yourself and give out your flyers, which could maybe include a discount.

You might plan a grand opening with specials, giveaways, etc.

Write up a press release for your local newspaper.

free samples, outdoor eating arrangments, music, games, and one odd word: "bogo" (buy one, get one).

also try Craig's List, . you could also put coupons in the mail or in places around town.

and maybe a neon sign, and a carpet extending from the sidewalk to the (open) door. also, try letting people create their own ice cream dish, then letting them name it, and then you put it on the menu (just make sure that you have ALOT of flavours and toppings so people can match what they want to make something)

um mm no i would necessarily give free samples just yet until you try promoting it post flyers every where possible but you have to make them huge CREATIVE AND COLORFUL maybe neon LIKE PRO.you have to think of creative ides the people will like like maybe let them create thair own ice cream hey why not even make a logo and catchy saying send some of your workers to different parts of the downtown maybe you can rent some costumes and make tham hold BIG signs and then if you think it's worth IT send some workers into the stores and parks etc. to hand out samples maybe you can take polls and ask what they the costumers think you should do to get more attention. and then thank them and say thay were very helpfull!

give an offer for 1 week that free ice cream for children only one icecream per kid make very tasty and delicious icecream and give them they will suerly come to your shop if the product is tasty and your buisnes will run well and you will get profit after some days when your shop get popular change the banner and get more variety of ice cream andd increase the rate of it (dont forget to advertise for the offer of children for a week)my email id vinuv23@yahoo.com