Sub Zero Desserts to get rolling today in shipping container
June 8, 2019
After a couple of topsy-turvy weeks, Dakota Snow/Sub Zero Desserts opens today in its unique converted shipping container.
The unit, which eventually will be loaded onto a trailer to meet city regulations, is parked in the lot next to Your Pet Stop at 501 E. 41st St. Customers can walk up and order shaved ice, premium shaved ice with Stensland Family Farms ice cream and toppings, or the rolled ice cream creations. The business also will serve hot and iced espresso drinks and acai smoothie bowls.
Owners Jessica and Matthew Rooney added the semi-permanent location because of the growing success of their mobile unit. The rainbow-colored trailer is booked out for most of the summer, which would have left few occasions to park in various locations across the city as the Rooneys have been doing since they started Dakota Snow in 2015. They’re in the process of changing the name to Sub Zero Desserts to better reflect their offerings and end the confusion that they offer snow removal, Jessica Rooney said.
“We definitely wanted to come up with an option for our regulars who couldn’t get to us,” she said.
The Rooneys bought the shipping container from Mobile Mini Solutions, and a friend who’s a builder customized it for them. The unit has a sink, prep area, refrigerator/freezer, a shaved ice machine and three rolled ice cream machines. After customers order, they’ll be able to stand in front of a window to watch their rolled ice cream treat being made.
Employees put a liquid ice cream base and other ingredients on the stainless steel surface that reaches 20 degrees below zero. Within seconds, the base begins to freeze. It’s mixed together with the ingredients, spread out again and scraped into rolls. Other toppings can be added to the bowl, and it’s ready to eat within a few minutes.
Sub Zero Desserts has a menu of 17 rolled ice cream creations such as the Sticky Money with a vanilla ice cream base, banana, honey, peanut butter and a peanut butter drizzle or the Unicorn with Fruity Pebbles and a white chocolate drizzle. Customers also can create their own dish with their choice of flavored base, two mixings and one topping.
Friday night, Matthew Rooney was training staff members in the air-conditioned comfort of the shipping container. They plan to open today at 3 p.m.
To start, hours will be 2 to 9 p.m. weekdays, noon to 9 p.m. Saturday and 2 to 7 p.m. Sunday. They’ll be adjusted depending on demand, Jessica Rooney said.
“We are pleased to have come to a solution with the city,” she said. “We’ve been planning this for so long and are so excited to be up and rollin’.”
