MILWAUKEE - The price of corn is rising quickly across the country and it’s putting the pinch on a landmark Summerfest vendor.

For thousands of Summerfest visitors each year, a savory snack from Robby’s Roast Corn is a must, but for this Summerfest staple, the cost of doing business has gone way up.

It takes 45 minutes to roast it just right. The flames come out of it, peal off the husk, dunk the ear in butter and Robby’s Roast Corn is ready for your personal touch.

“I put a little Cajun seasoning, a little lemon pepper,” Cynthia Jasper said.

“A lot of salt and a lot of butter,” Joe Block said.

The folks at Robby’s Roast Corn say they try to buy the tastiest sweetest corn in the country, but that’s getting more and more expensive.

“In years past we could get a crate of corn for $11. It’s gone up to $17-$18 a crate of corn,” Robby’s Roast Corn owner Speech said.

The owner goes by the name Speech. He’s played Summerfest many times as the lead singer of Arrested Development. His family’s business has been at Summerfest for 30 years and this is the most they’ve ever paid.

“With inflation, with the economy that’s going on now and gas prices, everything is harder,” Speech said.

An ear goes for $3, and Speech would like to keep it that way.

“One of the things we’ve been wanting to do is allow our prices to stay low so that people can afford it. People love ears of corn. It’s become a tradition,” Speech said.

The price per ear has been $3 for two years now, but if the cost stays high, look for a buck increase.