Frozen North Smithers is looking for some grant funding to make a few improvements to their mobile restaurant, including upgrades to their security.
Marisca Bakker
Aug 8, 2024 5:30 AM
A food truck run by youth in Smithers is looking for some grant funding to make a few improvements to the mobile restaurant, including upgrades to security.
Frozen North is a not-for-profit entrepreneurial student program under the care of Smithers District Chamber of Commerce. It is normally located in Central Park and provides business management skills and training for high-school students.
The kiosk offers locally-made menu features and products from various agricultural businesses.
Frozen North experienced theft and damage to the ice cream trailer last year. As a result, key security holes were identified.
A proposed renovation project would include expansion of the ice cream trailer and equipment.
The Chamber of Commerce has also noted additional signage would improve the customer experience and support attracting tourists.
In a report to town council, town staff noted if funding was received, any upgrades to Central Park (including new signage) or work on town-owned property would need to be approved by the town before any work started.
Frozen North asked council for a letter of support to accompany its Northern Development Grant application. In the request it stated the objective of this project is to substantially upgrade the Frozen North trailer to have a safe and efficient base from which to train more local youth to become highly-skilled workers.
“Like many downtown and Central Park merchants, our trailer has suffered thousands of dollars worth of damage or product theft in the last year (2022-2023),” the request stated. “Therefore, enhancing security through quality cameras and safety equipment is of the utmost importance.”
Aside from security enhancements, the request outlined major renovations and expansion to the decade-old trailer, upgrades in equipment to efficient and adequately sized models to accommodate an increase in the customer base, and high-quality signage to improve customer experience and attract more customers.
“The trailer’s location behind a copse of trees currently makes the trailer difficult for customers to find, so having high-quality, professional, and locally-designed signage would increase customer retention and thus enhance youth employees’ customer service experience,” the request stated.
Town council agreed to support the grant application.
