A young boy came into George Kleinmeier’s ICY Blue store one afternoon wanting a shaved ice, but he didn’t have any money.
Kleinmeier says he told the boy that if he would sit down and read from his school books, he could have a free shaved ice.
The boy sat down and read.
That’s the type of service you’ll find at ICY Blue, a new shaved ice and ice cream shop across from Minyard’s at Abrams and Gaston.
Kleinmeier, who opened the business with brother Danny, has been a member of the Dallas Police Department for 18 years.
“Fourteen of those years, I was on the SWAT team,” Kleinmeier says. “I went on drug raids, I’ve seen it all.”
“I believe if we reach kids early enough, we can make a difference. Hopefully, I can make a difference.”
Even the name of the business suggests its goal: ICY stands for Inner City Youth.
“That’s what I’m targeting – kids in the inner city,” Kleinmeier says. “Just a place for them to come and tell their war stories.”
Kleinmeier was familiar with our neighborhood because he has worked extra patrol for the Swiss Avenue Historical District for three years.
“I love the neighborhood,” Kleinmeier says. “The people are fantastic. It’s like a dream come true.”
Kleinmeier runs the shop on his three days off, and Danny runs it the other days. Many of the neighborhood children along Gaston already know Kleinmeier – or Officer George, as they call him – from his patrols in the area.
In addition to shaved ice and ice cream, customers visiting the store will receive an education about the Dallas Police Department.
Historical photos hang on a wall. And there’s a police car light bar set up in the store that can be turned on for shows.
Kleinmeier also hands out the department’s collectible police cards featuring pictures of officers and biographical information. And he serves up a bit of advice from ‘Officer George’ on Styrofoam cups.
Kleinmeier also awards students a free shaved ice if they bring in a good report card, test or a note from a teacher stating they are working hard.
The store is open 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m.-10 p.m. weekends. A shaved ice ranges in price from $1.40-$1.60.
