MOOSE JAW — After completing their inaugural year, Aubrey and Dwayne Shpaiuk, co-owners of Bob’s Ice Cream, are reflecting on what they describe as a highly successful debut season serving frozen treats to the Moose Jaw community.
Bob’s Ice Cream opened its doors on June 1 and operated through to September 29. After closing the main service window along Caribou Street West, the shop sold its remaining ice cream in pint containers, with the final inventory selling out by October 4.
“Our first year was really good. Everything went smoothly, and it exceeded our expectations,” said Aubrey. She described the support from the community as “fantastic” and at times “overwhelming,” noting how grateful she was for the positive feedback and loyal, repeat customers.
The shop’s most popular flavors during its first season included chocolate peanut butter cup, chocolate caramel cup, and cherry cheesecake.
The inspiration for Bob’s Ice Cream came from a desire to honor co-owner Dwayne Shpaiuk’s father, Bob Shpaiuk, who passed away four years ago. His passion for ice cream inspired the family to carry on his legacy through the business.
“It was a tradition — Bob was always the first to introduce ice cream to the grandkids,” Aubrey shared. “When Dwayne and I were brainstorming names, he jokingly suggested ‘Bob’s Ice Cream,’ and we thought, ‘Why not?'”
In addition to honoring family tradition, the Shpaiuks aimed to give back to the Moose Jaw community by providing entry-level job opportunities for local youth.
“We have four teenage kids, and finding jobs for them is tough right now,” Aubrey explained. “We wanted to create opportunities not only for them but also for other young people in Moose Jaw, as it’s hard for 14-year-olds to find work.”
In its first year, Bob’s Ice Cream hired nine students, aged 14 to 19, who were responsible for tasks like opening and closing the shop, managing the register, and serving customers.
“The students were fantastic,” Aubrey said. “They caught on quickly, were courteous and friendly, and some even took on senior roles to help guide younger employees. We couldn’t have asked for better staff.”
Looking ahead, Aubrey confirmed that Bob’s Ice Cream will reopen in 2025, with the couple feeling “100 percent” confident about returning. They’re both excited to continue offering the same high level of service and quality ice cream, now boasting a menu of 30 flavors.
While there are no immediate plans to expand the flavor selection, Aubrey did reveal one exciting addition for next season.
“We’ll be offering soft serve ice cream next year, which means we can make milkshakes,” she said, hinting at the possibility of creating their own version of Blizzard-style frozen treats.
As the season came to a close, Aubrey expressed her gratitude to the community for its support. “We’re super thankful for everyone who stopped by, shared a post, or brought a friend. We really appreciate it.”
Bob’s Ice Cream, located at 50 Caribou Street West, is now closed for the winter and is scheduled to reopen during the May long weekend in 2025.
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