Hello Jackson: Stacey's Ice Cream Cruiser
This piece was originally published in the December 2017 - March 2018 issue of our journal, Vol. 3, Issue 3: Grit.
Stacey Fain’s journey to opening her own ice cream truck started when her husband asked her what her dream was. Just a few hours after that conversation, they were searching for the perfect truck to get started!
Although they also serve banana splits, sundaes, and shakes, as well as dairy- and gluten-free packaged products, Stacey’s Ice Cream Cruiser is best known for their delicious soft serve ice cream in chocolate, vanilla, and twist. What makes Stacey’s ice cream so distinctive (and, frankly, better than most) is that their mix is at least 10% milk fat, giving it the most perfect creamy texture. For their other desserts, they make their own strawberry, pineapple, and wet walnut topping as well as the toasted almonds and pecans. Lots of hard work goes into making a good treat from Stacey’s Ice Cream Cruiser, and with prices ranging $2 to $5.50, you’ll be sure to get the bang for your buck.
For about a year and a half, Stacey and her family worked on remodeling the truck they purchased. After basically gutting the truck and starting from scratch, they were finally ready to start serving in April of 2016. “What started out as the dream job for me has turned into a wonderful way for my daughter Shian to follow her dreams and help pay her way through college,” Stacey says. Shian is studying to be an art teacher and helps run the truck when she is home from school. When she is away, Stacey and her mother, Debra, operate the business. These three generations are working together to serve ice cream at events across the area.
Stacey is proud of the joy her truck has brought to so many: “Seeing a little kid’s eyes light up and that smile when you hand them that big ice cream cone is the best thing ever!”
Stacey’s Ice Cream Cruiser is available for parties and events in Jackson and surrounding areas. To learn more, visit their Facebook page or call 731.394.9865.
Kristi Woody is a photographer and storyteller for our Hello Jackson features about locally owned retail stores and restaurants. She also works as the university photographer for Union University and owns her own wedding photography business, Woody & Pearl Photography. In her free time, Kristi enjoys spending time with her husband and rambunctious beagle, Rhett and Chipper respectively. If you can't find Kristi in Jackson, you'll find her in her second favorite place: Disney World!
Stacey Fain’s journey to opening her own ice cream truck started when her husband asked her what her dream was. Just a few hours after that conversation, they were searching for the perfect truck to get started! Although they also serve banana splits, sundaes, and shakes, as well as dairy- and gluten-free packaged products, Stacey’s Ice Cream Cruiser is best known for their delicious soft serve ice cream in chocolate, vanilla, and twist.
There is something so freeing about riding a bicycle, whether with adrenaline pumping for a race or a nice, relaxing ride down country roads. With the weather warming up, many of you may consider adding cycling to your exercise routine, and Jackson has a gem of a local business to help you get started. Hub City Bicycle Co. opened in March 2011 when owner Adrian Parchman saw a need in Jackson for a shop offering high-end bikes and repair services.
Vineyard’s Gifts, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, is located in one of the quaintest little pockets of Jackson. On the corner of Wiley Parker and North Highland Avenue sits a small shopping center including a florist, spa, children’s clothing store, and café. In the center of it all is Vineyard’s Gifts, a boutique gift shop that specializes in bridal and baby registry, stationery, invitations, and gift items. The store was originally opened as a florist in downtown Jackson by Lyda Tomlin Vineyard.
Earlier this year, downtown Jackson got quite a face-lift with the addition of the Jackson Walk area. One of the first businesses to open in that new retail space was Beyond Vogue, a blend of hip and classic trends from fashionable cities such as L.A. and New York City. Beyond Vogue carries a curated selection of sleek accessories, select modern home decor, and an assortment of contemporary women’s clothing.
One of my favorite things to do on the weekend is to go shopping for antiques, and Yarbro’s Antiques has always been one of the best places to go in Jackson to find a great variety. Yarbro’s is made up of booths stocked by a variety of sellers. Some dealers specialize in collectibles such as linens, military items, or glassware, and others sell things like seasonal decor or restored furniture. There is a little bit of everything with prices ranging from $1 all the way to $10,000.
Food trucks have become a staple in bigger cities like Memphis and Nashville, but Jackson is beginning to acquire its own selection of these unique culinary experiences. Eatbox Food Truck is Jackson’s first gourmet food truck, and their menu changes just about every time they set up for an event. Eatbox’s most popular items are their varieties of gourmet meatballs. In fact, last September the Travel Channel featured their gourmet meatballs in a segment on Bonnaroo, which Eatbox has worked the past three years.
One of the most well-known attractions in Jackson is Brooks Shaw & Son Old Country Store, a place both residents and visitors love. One of my earliest memories of the Old Country Store is from a field trip I took in kindergarten, where I was so excited about the barrels upon barrels of candy! The main draw of the Old Country Store is definitely the traditional Southern food buffet, which ranges from $8 to $13.
Nestled among the bustling restaurants and big box stores on Vann Drive, you can find one of the best local women’s clothing and accessories boutiques in town. Mam’selle is located right next to Starbucks and carries a huge selection of gorgeous pieces from dresses to handbags to candles. Mam’selle is home to many well-known designer lines including Marc by Marc Jacobs, Hobo, Frye, and the recently added Kate Spade.
One of the many reasons that I started Hello Jackson was to create a resource for people traveling through West Tennessee to find local businesses to support. One of the places that is already pretty popular with travelers is the I-40 Exit 87 BBQ Stand. It is a food truck-style establishment with a lot of character. Growing up, I always associated barbecue with family gatherings. Any time we all got together, we went somewhere to get some delicious pulled pork and all the sides.
Nestled on top of a hill and surrounded by a beautiful vineyard is the charming Botbyl Pottery & Companion Gallery, where you will find a gorgeous selection of handmade pottery, baskets, textiles, jewelry, and even handmade bath products. The majority of the pottery in Companion Gallery is made by owner Eric Botbyl, who is a longtime artist and potter. The gallery also features work by Kelsey Nagy, Amelia Stamps, Shadow May, Caroline Cercone, Becky Rosenkrans, and Made on Acorn Hill.
What started as two friends making Christmas gifts for loved ones has evolved into a thriving small business called Made On Acorn Hill. Mandy and Ashley, co-owners, make safe and natural alternatives to commercially produced bath and body products. Made On Acorn Hill sells a wide variety of bath products including herbal salves, sea salt scrubs, lip balms, and old fashioned goat milk soap. (Yes, they milk the goats themselves!)
When you talk to any business owner, the word “niche” will probably come up at some point. Finding a niche is essential to success, and today’s featured business, Woodstock Bake Shop, has definitely found its niche! You can tell from the name that the theme is based on the culture and music of the 1960s. Woodstock Bake Shop opened in September of 2012 and serves a variety of delicious cupcakes, candies, and box lunches.
One of the most exciting things for any high school girl is going to shop for a prom dress. This excitement comes back and multiplies when it’s time to find the perfect wedding gown. Rina’s Bridal & Quinceañera Boutique is a great place to shop for those very special dresses and accessories. Rina’s specializes in bridal, bridesmaid, prom, pageant, quinceañera, and baptism dresses.
Whenever my friends are throwing around the idea of going out for sushi, one restaurant always comes up: Asia Garden. Asia Garden, opened in 1985 by Kathy and Kopang Yeh along with several family members, is a staple in Jackson. They started out serving a Chinese menu and recently expanded to serve Japanese items, including sushi. They have quickly become a local favorite for sushi, and they will even do a sushi platter for larger groups!
Some of my fondest memories of growing up are from playing video games with my granddad and my cousins. I was the kid that cheated by holding the Duck Hunt controller right up next to the screen! I know many other people have grown up around video games, and some, like my husband, continue to enjoy playing. Even Frank Underwood, leading man on House of Cards, enjoys playing Playstation! Luckily there’s an awesome local business that serves the needs of Jackson gamers: Nerdvana.
Nell Huntspon Flower Box is a full-service florist located on North Royal Street and has been serving the Jackson area for over forty-six years. When I walked in to meet and interview Nell, she was talking with a customer on the phone, so I browsed the array of house plants and gifts on display in the shop. She smiled at me, and when she finished her call, she invited me to have a seat.
What’s better than finding an amazing deal on the perfect pair of jeans? Knowing that the money is going to a wonderful cause. That’s what you get at the RIFA Thrift Store! RIFA has had a presence in Jackson since 1976, when a group of local churches and community leaders decided to do something about the growing poverty levels in the city. The Thrift Store is one of the many ways that RIFA helps the people of Jackson, and it is open to the general public.
HaliHannigan’s Cupcakery opened in November 2010 and has quickly become a Jackson staple. I still remember when it opened on Vann Drive, and I even remember the first cupcake I tried there. It was a Strawberry Pucker, and it was absolutely fantastic! Now they have even more flavors and a variety of bakery items sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.
Running has long been a popular form of exercise, but the sport has picked up a huge following in the past few years. I’ve been running off and on for about three years now, and I’ve lamented the fact that Jackson didn’t have a running store. There is a big box store with a limited selection of good running shoes, but that just didn’t do it for me. I have always driven to Memphis or Nashville for specialty stores, but as of this summer, I can do my shopping right here in Jackson!
Growing up in landlocked Tennessee, I’ve always viewed seafood as a treat to be enjoyed when I visit the beach. There’s nothing I could do about living seven hours away from the nearest fresh fish market. Fortunately, this is a problem that the folks at Bubba Gandy Seafood have solved for Jacksonians! Bubba Gandy Seafood is a fresh Gulf seafood market in downtown Jackson that opened its doors in February of 2015.
There are many great ways to spend a day off work, but one of my favorites is antique shopping! One of the new kids on the block in the antique scene is The Vintage Market on Church Street. They bring something a little different to the table though, claiming, “We’re not your Grandma’s Antique Store.” Part of what makes The Vintage Market unique is in what the vendors sell.
Since opening in July 2013 at the West Tennessee Farmers' Market, the unique Cuban food of La Cubanita has been a big hit. La Cubanita is operated on the food truck model that has been growing in popularity all over the country. Empanadas, the primary menu item, began as tapas from Spain. In the early 1900s, when the Spanish migrated to Cuba, they brought some of their food traditions with them. The recipe for La Cubanita’s empanadas has been passed down and perfected over four generations.
As a long-time bookworm, I am excited to be writing about a quaint little bookstore today. OZ Rare & Used Books, where you can find everything from popular drama novels to classic literature, opened its doors downtown this past March. Just like the books inside, OZ isn't brand new; it has a history. The store began as The Book Rack and was owned by Brenda McKinney. Beginning in January current owner Denver Chandler began an apprenticeship with McKinney.
Over the past few years, many people have become interested in juicing for health benefits, but it is a long and messy process. Pour Me Some Juice takes on the work by providing delicious, raw juice blends with the nutrition that our bodies need. You won’t find many people who care more about health and nutrition than owner Tiffany Finney, who started the business because of her passion for raw food and juicing.
There are few places in Jackson that have been around long enough to become a source of nostalgia for locals. Many small businesses that were around back when we were young have changed significantly or the owners have moved on. There is at least one place, however, that evokes childhood memories of a perfect summer burger and milkshake with your friends. That place is Burger Barn.
ComeUnity Café is doing something so exciting and new in Jackson, and I’m so thrilled to finally be sharing about it here! They are a non-profit cafe with a six-item menu that changes each day. ComeUnity Café is one of the most inviting and warm restaurants that I’ve been to in Jackson. From the greeting at the door to the smiles from the volunteers behind the counter, everything is just extremely pleasant.
I have a confession. I’m a stereotypical twenty-something creative person with a soft spot for independent coffee shops. It’s hard to find a coffee shop these days without someone like me sitting at a table with his or her laptop slowly sipping on expertly crafted iced coffee. Where can you find such a place in Jackson? As of this past summer: Alba. Alba is a traditional coffee shop focused on hand-making quality drinks.