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DeKALB – Northern Illinois University student and DeKalb native Lizy Garcia was a customer at DeKalb’s newest ice cream shop three of the first four days the business was open.
La Michoacana Ice Cream Bar, 162 W. Lincoln Highway in DeKalb, opened Nov. 25. Garcia, 19, bought ice cream Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday last week. She did not stop by Thursday because the shop was closed for Thanksgiving.
“I’ll probably come once a week,” she said while eating a mangonada, a mango ice cream with sweet chili sauce.
La Michoacana serves 30 flavors of natural ice cream, flavored ice treats, yogurt and chips. There are dozens of locations across the country, including in the Chicago area. Luis Hernandez owns the DeKalb location along with shop inside the North Riverside Park Mall.
The DeKalb La Michoacana already is a member of the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce. Hernandez said he expects there will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony within the next week or so.
In the meantime, Hernandez said he is focused on providing his quality products through the winter season. He said he has access to revenues of other La Michoacana locations, which is why he decided to open during the winter.
“It’s not a good idea to open an ice cream shop in the wintertime, but since we know the ups and downs of other locations, we know what the sales will be when it comes to winter,” Hernandez said.
The ice cream is made fresh in one of two machines. Fruits, such as apples and bananas, are cut fresh after a customer orders. The ice cream, frozen ice and yogurt at La Michoacana contain no artificial flavors or preservatives, Hernandez said.
La Michoacana also will sell grilled corn, nachos with cheese, pork rinds, chips and popcorn. Customers will soon be able to add meat, cheese and other ingredients to their orders.
La Michoacana’s three keys to business are good service, clean presentation of the products and quality of the products, Hernandez said.
Friday was the first time in three years that DeKalb resident Laura Zavala was at a La Michoacana. She lives five blocks away from the shop.
Zavala said La Michoacana is superior to other ice cream shops because the ice cream tastes fresher. She also enjoys that she is able to taste the ice cream before she makes a decision on which one she wants.
“I just love this place,” Zavala said.