Fire and ice cream
Vanilla, chocolate, strawberry. The ice cream flavour doesn’t matter because Mary Webster is sure she is able to set it on fire.
“We’re the littlest dairy bar on P.E.I. But like the area we’re in, we’ve got a lot of offer,” said Webster, the owner of Madame Moos Dairy Bar in Chelton.
This is the dairy bar’s second season.
“There aren’t many businesses up this way. And when the Village Store closed in Bedeque for good, my husband and I saw this void in the community. By starting this little dairy bar, I’m hoping to fill that hole.”
Webster also runs a bed and breakfast property.
“Last year we were just a basic structure and I sell ice creams and sundaes and some casseroles, chowders or stews. I also sold fresh strawberries. This year we’ve added on to the building and we have a little gift shop. We’ve got little Island trinkets, handmade afghan blankets dishcloths and other items.
“In the future, I’m hoping I’ll be able to sell preserves and jams even those salad kits for people who need a bite to eat in the middle of a beach day. I’d year-round on her like to partner with crafters and bakers, too.”
Webster says opening the business has been rewarding, but also challenging at times.
“Starting a business is always costly. So, we built about 80 per cent of the kitchen here from recycled items we were able to find. But no matter what hiccups there were it’s been very rewarding to have this place.”
On the road to Chelton Beach, the small pink dairy bar stands out among the surrounding trees.
“It’s a nice little spot out here. Chelton is an underdeveloped area but I think there is room to grow. The more rural businesses we have out here, the more tourists and locals we can retain to the area.
“People want to be here, we have a lot of cottagers, but we need to be able to offer them things to do and see.”
She says she would like to see the dairy bar become a community staple.
“It’s a nice feeling that I’ve gotten local support from Islanders. And it’s been really great to see the families come up.
“That’s probably my favourite part. Seeing the kids excited at a flaming sundae or just a regular cone is nice.”
A P.E.I. company recently took part in a New York showcase focusing on natural products.
Nutracelle, owned by Islander Melanie Wildman, took part in the first TasteBuzz event held by marketing firm SchroderHaus in New York City on July 2.
The event facilitates connections between innovative natural food brands, media and influencers.
Wildman began shipping her P.E.I.-made protein to customers across Canada and the U.S. just over two years ago.
“As a female entrepreneur and a mom, I’m really excited to get to share our story and to meet so many amazing people, journalists, editors, writers and innovators who have created their own social media communities,” Wildman said about taking part in the exhibition.
Nutracelle has taken home a number of awards since its inception, including the best new product at the International business Awards in Rome.
The product is the first allnatural, nut-free and gluten-free prebiotic protein.
Twenty brands exhibited at the TasteBuzz event, while attendees included the senior editor of O, The Oprah Magazine, and a programming department director of The Food Network.