The Snack Shack is back open in Lagoon City for the first time in years, and it’s all because of two young entrepreneurs.
Twin Lakes Secondary School students Trey Morris and Fynn Hooper approached Ramara Township council, submitted a business plan, completed their food safety course, and got liability insurance in place in order to fulfill their summer dream of running the Snack Shack on the beach at Lagoon City.
“We remember how it used to be open down at the beach when we were younger,” Morris said. “We thought it would be really cool if we were able to open it for the summer.”
Hooper says Lagoon City has “felt dead” over the past two years due to pandemic restrictions and residents haven’t had much to get excited about.
“We feel like we need to bring some life back to it,” he said. “The beach is always packed, so I feel like this is a good opportunity for us to take.”
The long process to become business operators started back in March. The teens had some small hurdles with insurance, and they felt rushed at times to get open, but otherwise, it’s been a stress-free adventure.
“I couldn’t ask for a better summer job,” Hooper said. “Everything has been going to plan.”
Morris and Hooper,, both 15, are excited to be small business owners. They officially opened the Snack Shack last Friday. They sell ice cream, pop, chocolate bars, candy, ice cream sandwiches, popsicles, and water. They also plan on serving hot dogs in the future.
“It's nice being in charge of our own thing,” Morris said. “We have more control over what we are doing as opposed to if we were working for somebody else.”
The community is excited to have the Snack Shack back and the Grade 10 students seem to be the talk of the town, they joked.
“When people realize it’s us operating it they are really surprised,” Morris said.
“People are happy to see that the shack is open,” Hooper added.
The Snack Shack is open Thursday through Sunday from 11 a.m. till 5 p.m. each day.
While it’s only temporary for the summer, Morris and Hooper hope to continue building, owning, and operating businesses together for years to come. The two childhood friends also own and operate a clothing brand called Disaster Company.
