BizBeat: 15-year-old opens Holts Summit ice cream shop Mellby's Chill Zone

Liv Paggiarino/News Tribune

Fifteen-year-old Shelby Mell stands behind the counter of her ice cream shop, Mellby’s Chill Zone, on Feb. 27 in Holts Summit. The shop is now open on Sundays but will have its grand opening on Shelby’s 16th birthday in March.
Liv Paggiarino/News Tribune Fifteen-year-old Shelby Mell stands behind the counter of her ice cream shop, Mellby’s Chill Zone, on Feb. 27 in Holts Summit. The shop is now open on Sundays but will have its grand opening on Shelby’s 16th birthday in March.

At 15 years old, Shelby Mell isn't your average teenager.

While many teens struggle to keep up with grades and extracurricular activities, Mell is showing off what young entrepreneurs can do by opening an ice cream and snow cone business in Holts Summit.

Mell opened Mellby's Chill Zone, at 175 W. Simon Blvd., last month.

"Most kids, it's hard for them to get out of bed, let alone open a business, at my age," said Mell, a sophomore at Jefferson City High School. "It makes me really happy to think that people are impressed and happy for me."

Mellby's Chill Zone serves Central Dairy ice cream, including flavors vanilla, chocolate, strawberry cheesecake, Tiger Tracks, rocky road and more. The business also sells snow cones, with all-natural flavors including bubble gum, pineapple, pink lemonade, mango and cherry.

The small business also sells low-sugar and non-dairy products, as well as pre-packaged ice cream.

Mell has been taking flavor suggestions and said she will most likely continue expanding her menu, including adding a flavor of the week.

Mellby's Chill Zone will have its grand opening March 14 - Mell's 16th birthday.

While several people have said it's a shame Mell has to work on her birthday, the young entrepreneur doesn't see it as a chore.

"This is probably my favorite thing I've ever done," she said. "I did sports, but this, this touches my heart a little differently because everybody says it's really good, and they'll come back. It's a lot of positivity for being 15."

Starting March 14, Mellby's Chill Zone will be open 4-9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 4-10 p.m. Fridays, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturdays and noon-9 p.m. Sundays.

Until its grand opening, Mellby's Chill Zone is open only from noon-9 p.m. Sundays.

Mell's dad wanted to teach his young daughter responsibility and money management skills. After the local Rooster Creek ice cream shop and Summit Snow closed, Mell saw her chance to build these skills while also filling a hole in the community.

When Mell told her family she wanted to open a business, her mother, Tamara, was skeptical at first.

"It was out of the blue, but when she puts her mind to something, she puts 110 percent into it and doesn't stop, so I'm pretty proud of her," she said.

The determined young entrepreneur purchased equipment from the ice cream and snow cone businesses, and her family got to work rehabbing 175 W. Simon Blvd.

Instead of pale blue walls and gray concrete floors, customers are now greeted by red and white floors and tables. "Mellby," Mell's nickname, is written in colorful chalk on a large blackboard mounted on the wall.

In honor of her father serving in the military, Mell also added American symbols throughout the business.

While Mell's family is helping her, the 15-year-old is the leader of the operation. Her name is on everything, and it's her face customers will see when they walk into Mellby's Chill Zone.

Mell said her favorite part about operating the shop has been meeting new people.

The hardest part has been handling long lines, she said. If the line is too long, though, Mell added, one of her family members sometimes steps in to help.

"I am only 15, so I will have hiccups, I will make mistakes, and I am trying my best to make exactly what my customers want so they are happy," Mell said. "Positivity and encouragement is what helps the most with opening my first business, and I will greet everyone with a smile on my face and open mind for whatever they want."

As her business grows, Mell said, she is excited to learn life skills like networking, multitasking and money management. She hopes to eventually use those skills to earn a business degree and potentially open another business.

"It's a big achievement, but it's also a lot of stress," she said. "But I'm willing, and I know I got this and I know it will all be OK."

Know of any business happenings around Jefferson City? Let us know at [email protected].