There’s a new ‘Joe’ in town and chances are if you live on the North end of town, you’ve moseyed through the drive thru. If not, then it just might be time to see what all the fuss is about.
In early November of last year Pete’s Joe and Snow opened its windows for business. Yes, windows. The postage stamped size business situated in the Oakdale Shopping Center on North Yosemite, home to such stores as Cost Less and Sears, is small in size but packs a big punch.
Located at the far east end of the center parking lot, it offers two drive up windows, as well as a walk up option.
“We’re picking up like crazy,” shop manager and Barista extraordinaire Tatiana Sieu said. “This past couple of weeks have probably been the busiest since we opened.”
Sieu noted the lack of street visibility has made attracting business a challenge, adding that word is starting to spread via social media, school rewards programs and coupon promotions.
The new business is a first of its type in Oakdale and the Central Valley. A menu of varying coffees, frappe’s, smoothies, protein shakes as well as Hawaiian Shave Ice are enough to please the thirsty traveler or local on the run.
“We also sell Moss Rose bakery items for breakfast,” Sieu said. “Those are a real hit and one of our most popular items. We also get lots of compliments on our drip coffee and its consistency.
Sieu brings three years of previous coffee house experience with her to the new location.
“I developed the whole menu,” she said of the beverage offerings, noting that local businessman and shop partner Rich Murdoch as the Shave Ice expert.
Murdoch along with shopping center owner Peter Dwares co-own the business. Hence the ‘Pete’s’ in the business name.
“All of our equipment, flavors, cups, anything we use for it (shave ice) is from Hawaii,” the manager stated.
Another unique offering on the menu are infused Redbull drinks.
“OPD seems to like them a lot,” Sieu said with a chuckle.
As a new business, with a location on the outskirts of town, Sieu recognizes the business has a few challenges but feels confident.
“The biggest challenge is getting people to know we’re out here,” she said. “Once we get ‘em, we hook ‘em. They come back. Great service is part of the increase in our business. We’re a lot more personal.”
Sieu staffs the Pete’s with a team of three other staff members. The business is open from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday; 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and closed on Sunday.
Pete’s Joe and Snow is at 810 N. Yosemite Ave., Oakdale. They may also be followed on Facebook by liking Pete’s Joe & Snow, where they offer daily FB specials.
