Ice cream shop has a sweet thank you

Oscar and Ruth Ramos, owners of Wasco K & R Banquet Hall on 7th Street, held an ice cream social by inviting local businesses to enjoy a free scoop of ice cream at Paleteria y Neveria Las Michoacanas #2 on Saturday.

Owners of the ice cream shop are Norma and Jose Moreno. The two are originally from Colima, Mexico, but Jose has been in California since 1988 and Norma has been here since 1990.

The two met while working at the Department of Agriculture in Colima. He worked in construction and agriculture, while she was employed in agriculture and restaurants.

Jose and Norma had a mutual friend who they went into partnership with on an ice cream shop in Soledad; however, in 2013 they relocated to Wasco and began paving the way for their own shop.

Paleteria y Neveria Las Michoacanas #2 was opened in 2014, and the Moreno family has spent almost every day working at their family business.

Ramos chose the Moreno's shop to hold her community thank you and offered a free scoop of ice cream to everyone who came into the shop.

When you enter the shop, the warmth of the owners is contagious. They speak only Spanish; however, there is an English-speaking counter clerk who assists when needed. The customers that walked into the shop last weekend were all greeted with a smile and friendly encouragement to try their favorite flavor of ice cream.

City Manager Daniel Ortiz-Hernandez and Councilmember John Pallares were two of the visitors ready to cool down with a cold ice cream treat.

Among those also visiting the ice cream shop were Salma Garcia with her two boys, 3-year-old Jose Garcia and 4-year-old Sebastian Garcia. Both boys had bright blue ice cream cones.

The shop offers over 15 flavors of ice cream, including watermelon, cucumber and cantaloupe.

The shop offers a variety of items with a range of prices such as Cheeto Loco ($6), Sno Cones ($3), Gazpacho ($4.50), Chocolate Milk Nachos ($3) and Banana Splits ($5.90).

Moreno said that the shop's most popular item on the menu is the Tosti Loco. He described it as a combination of chips, pork, cucumber and Japanese peanuts.

The Morenos are busy every day of the week since the store is open every day, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

"We spend most of our time here at work," Jose Ramos said.

Since there are no printed menus, the menu is handwritten on a large chalkboard on a wall, easy to spot for anyone entering the shop.

Paleteria y Neveria Las Michoacanas is located at 914 7th St. and can be reached at 661-240-5988.