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This week’s edition of Business takes a look at ice cream, art, new businesses and the last steps to ending the Pinemont Park & Ride controversy.
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Readers, businesses react to the continued Blue Bell recall 1B · Business Briefs 2B Pinemont Park & Ride sale gets the go-ahead 3B
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Saturday, June 6, 2015 • Page 1B
Blue Bell Blues Businesses, residents react to Blue Bell ice cream recall By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com Most people don’t need the International Dairy Foods Association to tout summer as the “unchallenged season for eating ice cream and other related products.” Ice cream and hot months have been joined at the hip since President George Washington spent $200 for it during the summer of 1790. That’s why the recall and halt in production of Blue Bell’s ice cream has had an effect on Leader readers and businesses this summer. While all acknowledge the seriousness of the listeria outbreak which sickened seven and killed three, many are anxiously waiting for production to begin again, while others have sworn off the brand. “Blue Bell has been my favorite for years but after hearing they had problems with Listeria since 2009, I’m out,” said Patrick Parker. “I’ve always bought ice cream with fewer ingredients in it anyway, we will survive,” said Lara Jonsdottir. “I stand by [Blue Bell],” said Ana Leech. “Let me know if you find ice cream worth eating that came from a grocery store. I haven’t yet.” “We have not replaced it with anything and are missing our favorite ice cream,” said Cheryl Oldweiler. “We haven’t found good replacements for our favorites (Chocolate Mint and
Pecans Pralines and Cream). We love these flavors so much that our wedding ‘cake’ was made entirely of these Blue Bell flavors.” One by product of the recall is that people are trying, and liking other brands. Jessi Heiner said that her family has found a “wonderful replacement” in Graeter’s. “It’s stocked at Kroger and definitely worth a try,” she said. Brian Martin said that “the H-E-B 1905 Vanilla is off the hook” and Lori Creppon said that “H-E-B Creamy Creations is working for now.” Other honorable mentions include Alden’s, Haagen-Dazs, Ben & Jerry’s and the Whole Foods 365 brand. Joy Partain, the Kroger Public Affairs Manager for Greater Houston, said that they’ve seen an uptick in other frozen treats lately. “Other ice cream brands (Dreyer’s, Blue Bunny, Ben & Jerry’s, and Kroger’s own high-end line Private Selection) have all seen an increase in sales,” Partain said. Reader and health food business operator Barbara Zuluaga hopes the recall gives people an opportunity to think about the way their food is produced. “After all, is it really the same nostalgia-inducing ice cream our grandparents grew up with if they changed out all of the real ingredients out for some cheap, chemical replacements?” she asked.
Nursing new business on Pinemont
Photo by Betsy Denson Avery Meyers enjoys a frozen yogurt while father Allan looks on. The Meyers are regular patrons of SweetFrog and Baskin-Robbins, Blue Bell or no Blue Bell.
Zuluaga shares commercial kitchen space on Crosstimbers with a local ice cream company called Honey Child’s Sweet Creams. “They have an incredible all natural product and use local grass-fed milk, pasture-raised eggs and seasonal fruit from the farmers market,” she said. “You can’t get more homemade than that.” There is some anecdotal evidence that local ice cream parlors and frozen yogurt shops are enjoying a boost. “It’s causing me to spend more time at Fat
Cat Creamery,” said Carissa Barcus, while Leslie Ryan advocated going to Baskin Robbins to support the neighborhood. “More trips to SweetFrog for our family,” said Stephanie Gashette. SweetFrog’s Christina Logan said that this time last year they’d only been open for a week so there was no way to compare, while Fat Cat Creamery’s Sarah Johnston said that although she hasn’t noticed an uptick in walk-ins, they See Ice Cream, P. 2B
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Photo by Jonathan Garris Officials with Kaci Builders say a new business will emerge from its construction site on Pinemont Drive near Bingle. While the company could not give specifics just yet, the group says a new plant nursery will be coming to the area. The Wood Chop, the property’s previous tenent and firewood supplier, has since relocated to a lot across the street.
Business Spotlight Mildred Holeman Realty By Jonathan Garris jgarris@theleadernews.com After starting her own business in 1978, at age 62 no less, Mildred Holeman said she has learned a thing or two about how drastically the real estate market has changed. As the owner of Mildred Holeman Realty, she does her best to stay true to her company tagline - “The Office with a Heart.” “I always treat my clients by the golden rule,” Holeman said. “I always treat them the way I would want to be treated.” After the death of her boss in the 70s, Holeman struck out on her own with her own business, and recalls simpler times handling real estate for both commercial and residential properties. “I remember a time when you could have sold something like the Rice Hotel with just a two-page contract,” Holeman said. “The papers now have become voluminous
and financing is totally different. Everything is far more complicated.” For years Holeman has handled properties both big and small, selling homes as well as properties for organizations like Our Savior Lutheran Church, Aldine ISD and other groups. She has remained consistently active in the community, and bears the distinction of being the first non-Czech citizen to serve as President of the SPSJT Lodge 88. She was also elected Lutheran Woman of the Year and now serves as President of Circle of Grace and Young at Heart. Fellow graduates of the Carthage High School Class of 1943 also understand her reputation, and she was given a Distinguished Alumni Award last year. “I try to stay very active in anything I do,” Holeman said. Holeman said that her place in the community has strengthened her reputation throughout the years, but it’s her sincerity and approach-
Sylvia Reyes, Broker
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able nature that she thinks has made her business successful. “I think it’s my straight-forward approach, really,” Holeman said. “I won’t tell them anything I don’t believe is true. I think a lot of people appreciate that, particularly when it comes to real estate.” Mildred Holeman Realty can be reached by phone at 713-691-6434 and at their offices located at Suite 112 at 4001 N. Shepherd Dr.
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