Nonprofit snow cone stand expands into Bricktown
by Kayla Branch
Sasquatch Shaved Ice, a snow cone stand managed by the Homeless Alliance that employs low-income and transition-age youth, is opening a second location in Bricktown this summer.
The new stand will be inside of a revitalized shipping container and located on the corner of Reno and S Mickey Mantle Drive across from the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, according to a press release.
“We thought this will be a really cool opportunity,” said Whitley O’Connor, program manager for Sasquatch Shaved Ice. “We are welcoming in a lower-price option and welcoming our youth into a vibrant and fun business district. We are hoping sales will be really good as well.
“We’re excited.”
O’Connor said the expansion is possible because of a grant from the Arnall Family Foundation, which will also allow the group to hire a full-time employee for the program and to establish a permanent classroom and training space.
The goal is to hire 15 employees and open in July, O’Connor said.
The original Sasquatch location is in the Plaza District and has been operational for three years. Plans are for that stand to open within the next two weeks.
In addition to employment, all the stand workers also go through a financial literacy program that includes receiving and learning how to manage checking and savings accounts.
What employees save toward future higher education and career goals is matched dollar-for-dollar.
“I didn’t have my own bank account, so I’ve learned about different financial literacy skills that you need going out into the actual workforce,” said Savannah Slayton, who has worked for Sasquatch Shaved Ice since last summer. “I’m saving money for a car, so it has helped me a lot and taught me to budget.”
O'Connor said the classes are expanding to also teach life skills covering topics like working with computers and finding housing.
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