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Frostee Shoppe hot enough to open Marietta location

Amber Carter prepares a milkshake in the Frostee Shoppe, Too, on Harmar Hill Friday. (Photo by Janelle Patterson)

MARIETTA — A lifelong calling to teach and guide young minds has returned a former Marietta City Schools teacher to town with sweet treats and a new mission.

“I thought I was going to teach my whole life, so to be back in the lives of my former kindergarteners, my physical education students and my track athletes is a blessing,” said Amber Carter, co-owner of the Frostee Shoppes in Belpre, Vienna and now Marietta. “Over have of our student staff are kids I had when I was teaching.”

The Frostee Shoppe, Too, opened on Harmar Hill next to the fire station Thursday and by Friday had a steady stream of visitors dropping in for to-go orders of milkshakes and hot dogs.

“I take care of a lady up here on the hill, she’s 92 and yesterday I figured I’d stop by for a flurry,” said Doris Peele, of Pinehurst. “It was delicious, so now I’m back today for hot dogs.”

One Harmar Hill resident complimented Carter on the quick delivery of a finished shop, thanking her for filling the vacant commercial space which has sat empty for more than three years.

Patrons of the newly opened Frostee Shoppe, Too lounge in the seating area on Harmar Hill Friday enjoying lunch and ice cream at the newly opened shop. (Photo by Janelle Patterson)

Another complimented the contracting work completed to brighten the space.

“It was a fast turnaround for us,” smiled Carter. “We opened the Vienna shop just two months ago and right as we were opening this location came available and we jumped on it. We wanted to be open by (the Ohio River Sternwheel Festival.)”

Peele said in the past, the corner commercial property which sits across from the Par Mar gas station as Ohio 676 curves from the hill up past Gold Star Park has provided area residents with walk-in service.

“I remember there was a diaper service and a beauty shop here,” she said. “But I wish we had some grocery options on this side of (the Muskingum) River.”

Carter said she and her husband John expanded into the commercial business from early beginnings with a T-shirt screen printing shop in Belpre while they were involved with the local schools.

“That grew, and we went full-time with it, then in May of 2018 we had the opportunity to purchase the Frostee Shoppe in Belpre and it’s grown now to three locations,” she said, thanking her father Tom Perrine for preparing food Friday and nodding to the commitment of adult staffers Patty Spencer and Kim Griffin for their support. “And I have to give props to our general contractor Joe VanGorden, he went to work and we got this place together in about two weeks, with all of the health inspections and paperwork, we are so fortunate.”

The shop’s hours will run from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Food costs range from $1 to $3, and ice cream offerings range from $1.50 to $5.

Janelle Patterson can be reached at jpatterson@mariettatimes.com.

***

A Glance at Frostee Shoppe, Too

* Hours:

* Monday-Thursday: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

* Friday-Saturday: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

* Location: Harmar Hill, across from the Par Mar gas station on Ohio 676 (Lancaster Street.)

* Cost range: $1-5.

Source: Amber Carter

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