A north-side Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard dessert shop in Colorado Springs may be closing its doors this week after a decade of serving up Italian ice, frozen custards and other specialty creations.

Franchisee Kathy Gehauf opened the quick-service dessert chain in 2016 at 7866 N. Academy Blvd. near the Chapel Hills Mall. Her 10-year franchise agreement ends Wednesday, and negotiations are ongoing to sell the business to a potential new buyer. If the sale does not go through, however, the shop will permanently close on Wednesday, Gehauf told The Gazette on Monday afternoon.

Gehauf says she is looking to transition out of the business so she can spend more time with her family and to consider other potential entrepreneurial endeavors.

Pennsylvania-based Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard opened its first restaurant in 1984 in Bensalem Township, Pa., near Philadelphia.

The chain today has nearly 600 locations in 30 states. In Colorado, it has three locations, including one in Parker and currently two in Colorado Springs, on North Academy and on Dublin boulevards, according to its website. Gehauf does not own the Dublin Boulevard location, which will continue operating.