Kearney Koolers Shaved Ice provides summer treats
Carrie Alexander/The Kearney Courier
Mandy Shanks poses inside of her new business, Kearney Koolers, on June 4.
For Kearney graduate and teacher Mandy Shanks, having a place for Kearney folks to get a sweet, inexpensive and refreshing treat has been a longtime goal. Shanks recalls visiting a local shaved ice booth with her family during the hot summer evenings as a child growing up in Blue Springs, and she said she thought those memories were something she could recreate for the community she now resides in.
Shanks recently met at her shaved ice shop to discuss her business and what it was about her flavored ice that has quickly become a town favorite.
Q: What sparked the idea of starting Kearney Koolers?
A: Growing up I remember every night wanting to go get a snow cone. Now as an adult and a teacher, being off during the summers provided me just the right opportunity to have this business. I love shaved ice, so it was something I just decided to do.
Q: Besides your love for your product, what else do you love about your business?
A: I am a people person. I like seeing people in our community and being able to have conversations with them. Being a teacher, I also love kids, so I am hoping that this can become a hangout for the youth in our town.
Q: What do you think is the biggest benefit that your business provides to the community?
A: It’s a place that allows people to come and just hang out talking with each other. I have also had the opportunity to take this booth to the field days at some of our elementary schools, and I also took it to the Holt Heroes Day event. It’s a nice addition to some of the other things that are typically offered.
Q: What are your future plans for Kearney Koolers?
A: I am hoping to get another machine to shave ice so that we can be available to rent for parties or other events. I am also planning on expanding our hours.
Q: What is your best-selling flavor?
A: Definitely our most popular flavor is the Tiger’s Blood. Kids really like it. Our strawberry shortcake is also a great seller. We provide 30 flavors and countless combinations, as well as sugar-free alternative since our product is so inexpensive it’s something that families or groups can all come and enjoy together, especially with the price of gas being so high.
Kearney Koolers Shaved Ice
- Where: The purple and gold trailer located in the Big V parking lot.
- Hours: noon to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, noon to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday
- Phone: 255-0867
Staff writer Carrie Alexander can be reached at 628-6010 or carriealexander@npgco.com.
