Submitted by Shai and Darlene Corman
鈥淭here鈥檚 nothing like it in Assiniboia,鈥� says Shai Corman, owner of First听Ave Frosty Foods. What used to be Cruz In, is now home to a huge variety of fresh and frozen foods such as pizza, pasta dishes, burgers, cabbage rolls, stuffed chickens, salads, wraps, sandwiches and soups, and much more. Ice-cream treats are still offered in the drive-thru.
听
鈥淲e tried to reach all different types of clientele. I think it will work for everyone,鈥� says Shai. 鈥淲orking moms, or moms with children in dance or sports - it will be easy for them to pick up a meal here, throw it in the oven and supper鈥檚 ready.鈥�
听
鈥淚t鈥檚 also quick at lunchtime to pick up fresh soup, salad, or a sandwich or one of our microwaveable meals,鈥� adds Darlene Corman, former owner of Cruz In. 鈥淎nd take-out foods always work in Covid season or not.鈥�
听
鈥淭he seniors of our town are struggling so we have meals they can warm up in the microwave. It鈥檚 not always easy for them to budget and cook those bigger meals. But here, they can pick up a roast beef or turkey meal with everything included, and enjoy it when they鈥檙e ready for it.鈥�
听
鈥淔or dessert we have ice cream cakes, baking, muffins, cupcakes, banana breads, puffed wheat cake and lots more. We can write on the cakes and decorate them to your liking. We hope to move forward on that and bring in more desserts.鈥�
听
鈥淲e are open to suggestions. If our customers have a favourite meal or dessert they would like to see in the freezers or fridges here at First听Ave Frosty Foods, we encourage them to let us know. We will have a 鈥渟uggestion box鈥�.
听
Another unique service that First听Ave Frosty Foods can provide is customized meals for loved ones who may not be able to get out. 鈥淪ometimes families live too far away to visit their loved ones,鈥� says Shai. 鈥淔rosty Foods can make up meals according to their needs and requests. Providing delivery service for them is also something that might be possible.鈥�
听
Shai brings with her a heritage of entrepreneurs including her mom, many aunts and uncles, and her grandparents, Ed and Maureen Beauchesne. Just like Darlene learned to cook by spending time with her mom in the kitchen, so did Shai.
听
鈥淚 think I always knew I was going to be in this business,鈥� says Shai. 鈥淚 was in the Bar-B kitchen 5 days after I was born. I would make up menus at home when my sister would have friends over. I loved cooking their meals, and waiting on them. I鈥檝e been doing this from the beginning.鈥�
听
听鈥淚鈥檝e come full circle. I started at TeePee Drive-Thru,鈥� says Darlene, 鈥渁nd that鈥檚 where I鈥檓 ending. I will miss my customers, but I鈥檓 looking forward to relaxing, and spending more time with my grandchildren. I will still bake and I will still be busy because the boys are seeding and harvesting. I鈥檒l help support Shai until she tells me to leave,鈥� she says laughing. 鈥淭he hard part will be not seeing my customers. They put a smile on my face because I knew they loved coming in.鈥�
听
Another thing that has come full-circle is the good service that customers have become used to with Darlene. Whether it was at the TeePee, Bar-B, Chat and Chew, The Village, Cruz In, or catering, her staff has always been known to provide friendly and polite service.
听
鈥淚t鈥檚 always a highlight when I run into an old employee of mine. They tell me that they learned good work ethics from me. I learned that from my dad,鈥� continues Darlene. 鈥淗e taught me to have consistency at my work place.鈥�
听
Customers of First听Ave Frosty Foods can still count on that heritage of consistent, good quality food and customer-centred service.
