Ice Cream shoppe coming to Main

​“We’ve had this dream of running our own business together for a long time,” said Kris. “We’ve worked together and make a great team, so we know we can do this.”
Both women are Manning graduates, Kris in 1982 and Alisa, 2005,
When the pandemic hit and they found themselves without jobs, they talked about things they did and did not want to do. The decision to follow their dream has led to endless hours of conversation, lots of stress and even some tears.
The women credit City Administrator Dawn Meyer for her encouragement and assistance with an application to Manning’s Revolving Loan Fund.
They are planning to provide homemade ice cream, cookies, brownies, bars, shakes, malts, sundaes, cones and maybe something special now and then.
Kris said Alisa is the decorator. They have endless ideas. Alisa is considering decorated Christmas and Valentine cookies. She said, “We talked about ice cream pies and ice cream cakes, eventually.”
The ice cream will be scooped ice cream made by machine, and there are hundreds of flavors.
“It’s going to be scoop ice cream but not hard ice cream,” Kris explained. “Every eight minutes it will make a gallon and a half of ice cream; nine gallons in an hour. It makes it into a tub and put it in the freezer.”
Alisa added, “The ice cream machine will be Dad’s baby and he is going to develop the recipes.”
Jim, who has plenty to do in the kitchen at Cliff’s, will not have an active role in the business, but will help out when he can.
Jim’s hobby will, however, benefit the women with promotion of their business.  He designed the business logo on his computer, and with his vinyl cutter he has made Sweet Treat t-shirts and will create designs for the window.
Kris smiles, stating, “Oh, he’s a jack of all trades.”
The couples seven grandkids are lining up for jobs. Austin, age eight, said his job will be taste testing and coming up with new flavors.
Inside the shoppe will be five tables with seating for 20 people. Tables will also be placed outside. The women hope to be open in May. Initial hours will be Tuesday-Saturday 1:00-9:00 pm.