ST. THOMAS — Taxi driver, limousine provider operator, foodstuff truck operator, qualified vocalist and now, operator of the new On Slim Ice product shop, Michael Stephens unquestionably has a accurate entrepreneurial spirit.
Stephens was elevated on St. Thomas and is a graduate of Ivanna Eudora Kean High University. Soon after graduation, his mother, Arlene Donovan, desired him to carry on his scientific tests, but Stephens realized university was not for him.
His initially career was at the Marriott’s Frenchman’s Cove. He noticed taxi drivers there producing quite a bit of dollars and made a decision he desired a piece of the action, but a taxi medallion is really hard to occur by.
“Luckily, I have a amazing mom who considered in me and claimed she thought I could do it. She observed a medallion for sale in the newspaper and acquired it for me,” Stephens mentioned.
Amongst doing the job at Frenchman’s Cove and driving a taxi, Stephens has garnered a lot more than 15 yrs of consumer assistance working experience. Upcoming, he and a associate, Chuck Christian, began Legacy Limousine V.I. He nonetheless drives a taxi and retains the limousine organization.
In the meantime, Stephens experienced been singing given that significant university and was in local bands these as Vio Intercontinental, Jam Band and Big Band right before going solo as Mic Like. A single of his tunes was utilised to promote the islands and he was formally appointed as the 2019-2020 Ambassador for the U.S. Virgin Islands, the 1st soca artist, he says, to be endorsed by the Virgin Islands Tourism Office.
Through the top of the pandemic, Stephens acquired a foods truck that he parked around Wheatley Centre, which is now “on pause” since of the recent price of meals.
“A man instructed me ‘Mike, the only thing you can do to make individuals joyful is provide ice cream,’ so I determined to do it,” he explained.
At Havensight Shopping mall, adjacent to the cruise ship dock, Stephens originally needed a spot near to the ships, but what was after a Water and Electric power Authority pump house just off the gate of the principal entrance was accessible and is really a improved site to entice locals as well, with a quantity of bars and restaurants just throughout the street or just actions away.
Stephens and his brother Carlos had formed the Stephens Funds Group, under which they run the taxi company, limousine assistance, food truck. With each other, they now personal On Slim Ice.
Obtaining the gear set up was rapid. What took the longest was installing the electric power, which the compact shell of a creating did not have.
The grand opening of the colourful and enjoyable On Slender Ice was held Wednesday, coinciding with the Havensight Shopping mall tree lights event and the Governor’s Children’s Christmas Get together.
With extra than 17 flavors of ice cream, including five non-dairy possibilities, 17 shaved ice flavors and a myriad of toppings, buyers can blend and match for their perfect take care of. Waffle cones and bowls are hand designed on the premises. There are milkshakes, ice cream topped doughnuts produced by Junior’s Cakes in Tillett Gardens, alcoholic beverages shots and ice photographs loaded with flavored Cruzan Rum. Test a Chocoloco home made waffle taco or a Coquito Heaven, with coquito or coconut ice cream with doughnut crumbles with coconut flakes, cinnamon sprinkles and chopped bananas, topped with whipped product and drizzled with sweet condensed milk and caramel sauce.
For Joyful Friday (”We get in touch with it Satisfied Friday, due to the fact we consider being content should really be longer than an hour,” Stephens said), ice shots are $1 all day.
Also on the menu is hemp- infused ice cream, utilizing what Stephens assures is manufactured from the authorized Delta 8 and Delta 10.
“Any hemp we have in our ice product is 100 {ead4cb8c77dfcbdb67aba0af1ff8dfae0017fcc07a16fe7b51058939ac12c72a} accredited and tested and coming from away, all labeled with all the ingredients as properly as the specific dosage. We contact it ‘High Scream.’”
On the garden, there are picket benches, totally free WiFi and charging ports for phones.
“Not several places in town have ice product, and with the volume of folks that appear by below all working day, I feel it’s heading to be a chaotic location,” mentioned Stephens. “Come on down.”
On Thin Ice is open weekdays from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and weekends from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.
