Sistah Spotlight: K & S Ice Hut Owner Trent Hogue

Sistah Spotlight is a way to showcase women who I think are accomplishing wonderful things and it is also a way to promote what they were doing through my blog. Through Sistah Spotlight I will feature an African American woman who is doing great things both in social media and also face to face out in our community.

In honor of Father’s day, this month we are pleased to change things up a bit by honoring an African American male for the 1st time.

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It is with great pleasure that I introduce you to Trent Hogue.  Trent Hogue is the owner/operator of K & S Ice Hut, Fort Wayne, Indiana’s ONLY Black owned and operated ice vendor.  For those of you that don’t know Fort Wayne, Indiana is my hometown.  I was born and bred there for 30 years before I relocated to Atlanta.  Even in 2015 much of the city is very much segregated with little to no commerce happening on the predominately Black South side of town.  When Trent Hogue decided to build his business he went straight to the neighborhood that he spent most of his teenage years and made it happen.  Despite conditions in the area and the fact that new businesses were typically not opening on this side of town Trent opened K & S Ice Hut aka “The Ice Hut”.

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What is K & S Ice Hut?

It is an independently owned and operated business that primarily sells Shaved Hawaiian Ice.  In addition to the delicious,* cool flavored ice you can also purchase cookies, drinks, popcorn and candy. It is located at 1307 Oxford Street and operates from Spring Break through Halloween.

The idea for this business came when Trent saw an establishment that was set up on the North side of town and decided that the South side needed something similar.  He wanted to create something positive that would bring together families and people of all race, genders and economic backgrounds.  What started off as a simple way to bring the community together has turned into something that has been embraced by all.  K & S Ice Hut is now an integral part of the Oxford neighborhood.  Here are just a few of the ways that Trent Hogue utilizes his business to benefit his community:

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*K & S Ice Hut has sponsored a T-Ball team for the past 6 years providing coaching and uniforms for kids ages 3 – 6.

*Most of the Ice Hut’s employees are kids from the neighborhood

*K & S Ice Hut hosts a Family Celebration day every year when they open for the Summer.  This celebration includes free ice, activities for the kids, music, BBQ and more.  It’s a customer appreciation day that kicks off the Summer season.

*He is setting an example by giving back and creating memories for children that will affect them positively for the rest of their lives.

When asked what sets The Ice Hut apart from similar businesses:

Our quality product and customer service is what sets us apart.  We treat our customers with respect and they tell their friends.  We depend on word of mouth to drive our business and the customers keep coming. K & S Ice Hut is for everyone.  It is a safe and family friendly establishment. ~Trent Hogue

K & S Ice Hut also has a mobile unit that is available to rent for sporting events, parties and any social gathering.

In addition to running this thriving community friendly business Mr. Hogue is the single father of two and works full time.  His 2 kids are what motivates him, they are also who his business is named after (K for his son Kamari and S for his daughter Sharyia).

Now that I am at the end of this post I can tell you that Trent is a family member of mine.  He is my cousin but has always acted as an older brother to me.  He has always had my back and I love him very much.  I am very proud of him and honored to highlight him for this special edition of Sistah Spotlight. If you are in Fort Wayne, stop by The Ice Hut on Oxford and tell him that The SistahChick sent you!

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Get social with The Ice Hut and go here to like their Facebook page! Stay Cool and Enjoy your Summer everyone!

Where do you go to cool off in the Summer?

 

 

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Thank you for visiting my site. My name is Stacey Taylor aka “The SistahChick” I am the Head Sistah-In-Charge here at TheSistahCafe.com.   I am an Atlanta based Professional Blogger who spends my time enjoying the beauty of everyday life and sharing that here on my blog.