By Paige Gurgainers
There was a double celebration in downtown Minden on Monday morning, April 15 – the official grand opening for Shug’s ice cream shop and the birthday of owner, Mandi Hart.
It was a packed house inside the shop as Greater Minden Chamber members, community leaders, supporters and ice cream enthusiasts came to snack, sip, sing and sample the dozens of different flavors that Shug’s has to offer.
“The grand opening was amazing,” said Hart. “It was so great to see so many people come out and support us in our new adventure. I decided to hold the grand opening on my birthday, so that I could celebrate with everyone, give away some free ice cream and some great prizes.”
Although this was the official grand opening, Shug’s has already become a staple in downtown Minden. They have made appearances at the Witches Ride of Minden, the Greater Minden Chamber’s 15 under 40, St. Jude Auction, JJ Sneed Day, Seeds Ice Cream and Pickle Party and of course – National Ice Cream Day!
“I have always enjoyed being involved in the community through giving back and want to continue that through Shug’s. I am from a family full of small business owners, from jewelry to sporting goods to salons and restaurants, with each of them giving back to their communities in big ways,” said Hart.
Her family has owned and operated a business in Monroe since 1965 and FUN FACT: Hart’s uncle is Johnny Huntsman of Johnny’s Pizza. She served alongside him for a few years on the board of Camp Quality – a camp for kids with cancer.
Hart continued, “I watched my Papaw love on his customers and his community, and my dad continues to do that during his tenure. My mom and her mom also modeled to me how to serve others through volunteering time and resources. I want to foster that same environment with my business within our community here in Minden and surrounding areas.”
You can always count on Shug’s to add a little extra sprinkle to any ordinary day, such as Free Topping Fridays, Taco Tuesday, Ice Cream for Breakfast Day and Stuff your Stanley, just to name a few.
“Donny (Hart’s husband) and I love ice cream and we love family nights with our kids. That was our whole motivation behind our Shug’s model. Get families out of the house together for some great ice cream and time just to be together enjoying one another,” said Hart. “I want families to be able to put down their devices and truly enjoy their time together having fun with each other while enjoying some of the best ice cream we have ever tasted.”
Hart has been “blown away” by the community’s support. She described her ice cream shop as a “labor of love” that truly brings her so much joy.
“Seeing the kids run to the cases to find their favorite flavors is everything,” explained Hart. “I have had parents tell me their kids are doing better in school with the promise of Shug’s ice cream. People come to support you when you have a good product and good customer service. I think we have both.”
Another FUN FACT: Hart landed on the name “Shug’s” because that is what she is known as by all her nieces and nephews. Hart can be described as the fun aunt, which to her fosters the whole experience that is Shug’s ice cream shop.