LET'S GET TROPICAL
SHAVED ICE
EST. 2020
IT ALL STARTED ONE HOT SUMMER DAY...
The story of Let's Get Tropical begins with a simple idea that blossomed into a vibrant reality.
The Kile family always enjoyed Shaved Ice as a sweet summertime treat. After moving to West Point in 2018, they realized that Shaved Ice was pretty hard to come by in Northeast Nebraska (it was nearly nonexistent)!
While reminiscing one hot summer day in 2020 when their whole family was home during the COVID-19 Pandemic, an idea was born: to create a shaved ice business that would transport people to the magic of the tropics with every delightful bite right here in West Point, NE.
THE VERY BEGINNING
We would be lying if we said starting a business from scratch is easy. Especially if it involves a camper.
In June 2020, we purchased this 1967 Shasta Camper with plans of turning it into a Shaved Ice trailer. We wanted something unique, in usable condition, and definitely not on the expensive side (if you know what I mean).
We picked this craigslist camper up, drove it home, and with very little knowledge on what we were getting ourselves into, we began the remodel process.
A LEARNING PROCESS
The camper made it home in one piece (thankfully) - but where do we even begin?
We did lots of research, watched many, many youtube videos, and did a lot of inquiring at our local Bombgaars and Menards stores. We spent 4+ hours in Menards one debating on things like wall outlets, roof coatings, generators, and sinks. We were sick of Menards by the end of this journey, but so glad we had access to their products and knowledge!
Our "inside" remodel process went something like this: gut out the inside, take out old windows and install new ones, re-frame the framework, install the new floorboards, put in new wiring/lighting/water access, install insulation, install new door, panel the walls, put up the ceiling, lay down the flooring, install counters/sink.
Many of our days we worked in time frames of 7-11AM and 7-11PM, trying to avoid the hot afternoon heat. There were days when we were installing a window or working inside on framing in nearly 100 degree heat. In our little "tin box", it got warm really quickly!
"WHAT IS THAT?"
Once we tackled the inside, we started designing the outside of our camper, and this is when all of the questions began rolling in.
"Oh cool, are you guys going to do a lot of camping?"
"WOW I love that color! Is that an ice cream truck?"
"What is that thing? It sure is bright!"
Our color palette was doing exactly what we wanted it to - catching people's eye, but we weren't quite ready to unveil our plans yet!
After we painted on the name of our business on the side, it was obvious! We had so many people around town excited for us to open. This was when we first realized we were about to have a big hit!
IT ALL CAME TOGETHER
Once the camper was completely finished, we passed inspection and set our opening night for July 18th, 2020. We had such a great turnout and actually sold out on our first night! What an amazing feeling to be fully supported by the community!
We have learned so much, from renovation techniques, to food serving codes, to business startup necessities. We still look back on the things that we know are far from perfect, but we are so proud of what we accomplished!
Since 2020, we continue to operate every summer from the end of May to the beginning of August. It has been such a joy being able to do this as a family, from start to finish.
