After 34 years of scooping up smiles and tasty ice-cold treats, the Mehlenbachers have sold The Cone and Shake Shop in Chatham.
John and Francine Mehlenbacher closed the deal with new owners Caitlin McCauley and Aidyn Lamb on May 29.
Francine Mehlenbacher said she and her husband really enjoyed running the popular ice cream and frozen yogurt shop on Queen Street.
“We’re ready to retire. We’ve enjoyed it for 34 years, but it was time to hand over the reins to someone younger and with more energy,” she said.
She admits she will miss the many friendly faces.
“Our customers, a lot of them we saw when they came as children,” she said. “We have a lot of people bring their wedding parties here and have wedding photos taken at the shop. And we’ve seen them bring their kids here.”
McCauley said when she and Lamb saw The Cone and Shake Shop up for sale, they had to act.
“It’s iconic. The moment we saw it on the market, we thought it would be a great opportunity,” she said. “We’ve grown up coming here. We just had to jump on it.”
She said the duo is prepared for the long hours and hard work.
“We’re going to carry it on and try to make them proud,” McCauley said of the Mehlenbachers.
They don’t plan on making any changes in the short term.
“We’re going to keep it fairly similar, get our feet on the ground for the summer,” McCauley said. “But there might be some exciting things coming in the fall.”
The shop will feature longer hours immediately, however, as the new owners plan to be open seven days a week during the summer, with hours from noon to 10 p.m. daily.
They said they expect to keep dishing up the chilly treats later into the season than their predecessors as well.
As for those predecessors, the Mehlenbachers don’t plan on staying away from the shop.
“We will be back as patrons. We’re going to ride our bikes here,” Mehlenbacher said.
They’ll just be on the other side of the window.
David Smith of Royal LePage Peifer Realty, the agent who listed the business, said inquiries over the potential purchase of the shop came from across Canada and even the U.S.
Celebrating Titan’s new location
Titan Forklifts received surprise guests recently, as a team from Chatham-Kent Economic Development Services and Mayor Darrin Canniff popped by.
They handed over a certificate of recognition on the new location, and a celebration of eight years in business in C-K.
Rotimi Osuntola, consultant and business manager for Titan, said he and staff showcased the variety of equipment Titan builds and ships to dealers. That included electric, diesel and LNG powered forklifts, as well as custom/specialty options.
Osuntola said Titan personnel showed how they design the components to be installed on each machine, send the specs out to the manufacturer and then test out the machines before they’re shipped off to dealers.
The number and scope of Titan dealers continues to expand. Osuntola said they ship across Canada and are expanding into the U.S.
Titan custom designs its products and have them assembled using parts made in North America, Germany and Japan.
Dare to Pair
Red Barn Brewing is hosting its second Dare to Pair event, where 50 people can enjoy a five-course meal paired with the brewery’s craft beer.
The formal event on June 18 will feature a surprise chef, as well as Red Barn head brewer Steve Goodal. They’ll discuss how they create, curate and collaborate by pairing culinary delights and a variety of beer styles.
The meal will feature beer sampling and tasting notes for each course, on top of the discussion between the brewer and chef.
Alyson Morris and the Jazz Messengers will provide ambience throughout the evening.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the dinner commences at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $125 each.
Krogman takes new post
Community Living Wallaceburg (CLW) hired a Glasstown native as its new director of people and culture.
Susan Krogman’s first day on the job was May 13.
She is a certified human resource leader who brings more than 25 years of experience in all aspects of human resource management with demonstrated success in implementing HR strategies and enhancing employee engagement. She is also a certified Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) member with hands-on experience managing claims, return to work and accommodation.
“Along with guiding our human resources department, Susan will be a leading figure in our continued focus on workplace culture and wellness, which ultimately translates to excellent support for the people we serve” Roger Romses, executive director for CLW said in a media release. “She will be an great addition to our Agency.”
Nest supports reading program
Nest Realty, along with Ashley Ewald of RBC, held the second annual Play for a Purpose fundraiser recently, raising $2,200 to help young children take an interest in reading.
The funds are earmarked for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, to which the local Kiwanis Club is affiliated.
The Imagination Library is a free book-gifting program devoted to inspiring a love of reading in young children in partnership with local community partners.
Tea time
Mrs. Bell’s Tea Room is back open.
The tea room shifted locations from Third Street to Grand Avenue East in Chatham.
Owner Wanda Bell said the new location offers several amenities that will enhance the customer experience, including onsite parking, more space, an expanded menu, hand-crafted and vintage items for sale, and a wheelchair-accessible entrance and washroom.
“It was a much longer wait than expected, but it will be worth it when I am able serve those who have mobility issues,” Bell said in a media release. “Accessibility was a key component to the renovation, and caused several hiccups along the way, but I am glad that everyone can now experience the tea room.”
The new tea room will still offer traditional, vintage afternoon tea, but new menu items such as quiche and soup will allow for folks to come in on a more regular basis. The use of tablecloths, china and the cozy, romantic décor is continued in the new location.
The Tea Room is now at 241 Grand Ave. E. next to Mighty Jim’s Variety.
New agreement for LKDSB teachers
The Lambton Kent District School Board and its secondary school teachers have reached an agreement recently on a new contract.
The deal between the board and the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation of Ontario, District 10, runs through the end of August 2026.
- Business Voice is a bi-monthly column in The Chatham Voice that highlights some of the achievements made and efforts underway in Chatham-Kent’s business community. Send your information to [email protected].
