Submitted by Shai and Darlene Corman
“There’s nothing like it in Assiniboia,” says Shai Corman, owner of First 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.
“We tried to reach all different types of clientele. I think it will work for everyone,” says Shai. “Working 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’s ready.”
“It’s also quick at lunchtime to pick up fresh soup, salad, or a sandwich or one of our microwaveable meals,” adds Darlene Corman, former owner of Cruz In. “And take-out foods always work in Covid season or not.”
“The seniors of our town are struggling so we have meals they can warm up in the microwave. It’s 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’re ready for it.”
“For 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.”
“We 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 Ave Frosty Foods, we encourage them to let us know. We will have a “suggestion box”.
Another unique service that First Ave Frosty Foods can provide is customized meals for loved ones who may not be able to get out. “Sometimes families live too far away to visit their loved ones,” says Shai. “Frosty Foods can make up meals according to their needs and requests. Providing delivery service for them is also something that might be possible.”
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.
“I think I always knew I was going to be in this business,” says Shai. “I 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’ve been doing this from the beginning.”
“I’ve come full circle. I started at TeePee Drive-Thru,” says Darlene, “and that’s where I’m ending. I will miss my customers, but I’m 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’ll help support Shai until she tells me to leave,” she says laughing. “The hard part will be not seeing my customers. They put a smile on my face because I knew they loved coming in.”
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.
“It’s 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,” continues Darlene. “He taught me to have consistency at my work place.”
Customers of First Ave Frosty Foods can still count on that heritage of consistent, good quality food and customer-centred service.
