I thought it'd be nice to tell you a little bit about us like where we came from and how we got here. So, if you don't mind a story, here it goes...
In 1998 I (niki) moved to NY to meet my real dad for the first time. That same night I arrived, I sat outside my sister's job waiting for her to get off work, when Jon and his friends pulled up. Jon had gone inside the movie theatre next door and called the payphone where I was sitting. His friend answered and handed me the phone. Of course, puzzled, I was like "what'. Jon went on to tell me how pretty he thought I was and explained to me what I was wearing...I was clueless that he was standing inside looking right at me....We spent that whole summer together...and now 14 years and 4 beautiful daughters later, here we are.
Due to the extreme expense to live in NY we decided to move to TX where my mom was. I grew up in a small town, so Quitman was appealing to me. New to Jon, who had never seen cows on the side of the road and those huge rolled hay bales :). We began building our life in Quitman in 2001 as nurse aids at Village Manor on Lane St. before it closed down. From there, we moved on to other things. In December of 2005 we had a house fire losing everything we owned. It was the most surreal experience ever. It was then that people all over Quitman really embraced us and showed us what small town love can really do. It was amazing how much love and support we were given and the abumdance of things given to us to help rebuild our lives. It was only my 2nd day at work at Stitchin Heaven...7 years later, Im still at Stitchin Heaven, my day job,working for an amazing woman who inspired me and has given me knowledge that has turned into the courage needed to go forward in business. Oh yeah...and Jon has been head chef at the Tea Room for 5 years now...You might have eaten there :)
In 2010, Jon and I decided that our next goal after buying our first home was to open a restaurant. We gave ourselves 5 years. Since then I have done my research and have been preparing for that. Its been 2 years and here we are. Its funny, because it was really like an overnight decision. I had gotten a bug in my bonnet to go check out McDade's Dept. store, called Reneau at Quitman Realty who showed it to us and informed us of Wing Dingers moving in next door. When he told us that, it was like "ding ding" Ice Cream! What better compliment would it be to have pizza and then ice cream next door? So, with this crazy half thought idea, we looked at a couple other buildings then found the one we're in on Main Street. It was literally a week's time and I was at city hall in the City Admin's office with the lease agreement ready to sign, when I called jon and told him to meet me there. Jon was like "What? Are you serious? We're gonna do this? Are you sure?"...LOL I'm funny that way, I get an idea and if you tell me "no"or that I "can't", I'm gonna show you I can. Even if it means blood, sweat and tears. Afterall, what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger, right? (it's a good thing Jon's cool for whatever) So, we signed and after lots of hard work and pretty much no money, we opened. April 28th, to be exact. Our first weekend and every day since has been amazing!
Here we are on our second weekend, we've hired 5 part time, high school girls, yes, 5!! and looking forward to a long future in the small town ice cream biz...I've gotta tell you, having your own customers, is an amazing feeling. Watching them walk out and go across the the street to sit at the courthouse as they eat their ice cream is a whole 'nother feeling of warm and fuzziness.
I really hope...No, I know, we'll do good here...because so far.....We have the best customers in town :)
Our next goal...To make enough money to take the kiddos to Disney World in December :)...It'll happen...just watch and see :)
Bell's Ice Cream Cafe
Come see us!
Monday - Friday 3p-9p
Saturady 11a-9p
Sunday 11a-5p
Summer hours beginning June 1st.
Monday - Friday 11a-9p
Saturday & Sunday's hours will stay the same.
