BY EVA MAYS
Sherry Monazam, her husband, Essie, and their two adult children have been in the frozen confection business for almost 10 years.
They initially bought into the Kona Ice franchise in 2013.
“I researched the company for about a year,” Sherry said. “Then I went to their annual convention and got to try the product and actually get in the truck. I fell in love with it. So, when I came back, I told my husband all about it and he just loved the whole concept.”
Kona Ice began in 2007 with a single truck on the streets of Boone County, Ky. The CEO, Tony Lamb, wanted to offer an ice cream truck that was clean, with a friendly driver offering a delicious product. The company has since expanded to 1,200-plus franchises throughout the United States and Canada.
The Monazams named their franchise “Almost Heaven Kona Ice,” and have two trucks — one for north-central West Virginia and one for southwestern Pennsylvania. The tropically festooned trucks are often seen at parties, fundraisers and corporate events — and once, Sherry recalled with a chuckle, a funeral — selling the company’s signature shaved ice.
Patrons can customize their ice with any combination of flavors from the “Flavorwave” dispenser.
“You get to pick as much and as many as you want. You can mix and match flavors,” Sherry said. “Kona Ice also has 40% less sugar than typical shaved ice, and it’s also gluten-free and enriched with Vitamin C. We have sugar-free available by request.”
Complete nutrition and allergen information can be found at kona-ice.com. The Monazam’s Kona Ice trucks can be booked for events at kona-ice.com/local-site/almost-heaven-kona-ice/.
Last year, Sherry decided to try including more traditional ice cream as well as shaved ice and found it was well-received by the Kona customers. So well, in fact, that the Monazams decided to open a more stationary version of their popular trucks. Essie’s Sweet Shoppe launched Aug. 1 at 101 E. Brockway Ave., where it is easily accessible from the South Park, Greenmont, Sabraton, Woodburn and downtown areas.
A pink-and-white striped awning outside is echoed by the colorful decor inside.
The shaved ice that started it all is supplied by the Kona Mini, a petite version of the iconic truck, complete with the Flavorwave. There is also hand-dipped premium ice cream supplied by Wisconsin-based Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream, featuring flavors such as Cotton Candy Twist, Iced Latte-Da and Raspberry Rhapsody. The shop is stocked with soy-based vanilla ice cream for those with dairy intolerance. Also on offer are “cookie fries,” which are shortbread cookies cut to resemble french fries and served with sweet dipping sauces, and a variety of other sweet temptations.
Customers can enjoy their treats on a pet-friendly covered deck overlooking Deckers Creek, and beyond it, verdant Whitmore Park.
“Our customers love the deck because it’s overlooking something pretty,” said Sherry. “It’s like you’re out in the country, but you’re right here in Morgantown.”
The shop has already racked up dozens of reviews on Google, overwhelmingly of the five-star variety. Many reviewers seemed to wish they could give more stars. One, by Kay Monate, said, “SO happy to have this place in Morgantown! Ice cream is REALLY good, the building is adorable inside and out, and the people running it are so nice!! Great job all around. 12/10 stars.”
The Monazems take great care with customer service and love seeing the results.
“A customer might walk into the sore in a bad mood, but by the time they leave, they’re all smiling,” Essie said.
Essie’s Sweet Shoppe is open from 1-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 1-10 p.m. Friday, noon-10 p.m. Saturday and noon-9 p.m. Sunday.
