Tennessee Department of Transportation Commissioner John Schroer, left, Oak Ridge Mayor Tom Beehan, center, and City Manager Mark Watson outside Razzleberry’s Ice Cream Lab and Kitchen in October 2012.
ORNL Federal Credit Union has picked Razzleberry’s Ice Cream Lab and Kitchen for its second Small Business Counts “cash mob.”
Razzleberry’s was originally a small ice cream parlor, and it is owned by Waldek and Ilona Kaczocha, who moved their business from Pompano Beach to Jackson Square in Oak Ridge more than seven years ago, a press release said.
“Since then, the little neighborhood spot has slowly grown into a full restaurant serving lunch and desserts daily (and breakfast on Saturdays), while also featuring a number of homemade international food products and unique gift items,” the release said.
“Running a small business is tough, but connecting with people and putting smiles on their faces makes it all worth it,†Waldek Kaczocha said. “We are humbled that the Oak Ridge community has chosen to embrace us in this way.â€
The Small Business Counts Cash Mob program was created to recognize and show support for all local merchants in the 16 counties that ORNL Federal Credit Union serves. The program includes the promotion and support of various local businesses each month and will continue throughout the next year.
At the event, the first 30 people will receive a $20 gift card to use on ice cream or any merchandise within the store, courtesy of ORNL Federal Credit Union.
For more information about the Small Business Counts program or to nominate a local merchant, visit www.SmallBusinessCounts.com. There is no requirement for the business to be a member of ORNL Federal Credit Union to be selected for a cash mob. Details of future cash mobs will be made available approximately one week in advance of each event, the release said.
Wednesday’s cash mob is from 5 to 7 p.m. at Razzleberry’s, which is at 201 Jackson Square in Oak Ridge.
A cash mob is a group of people who meet at a local business to make purchases, supporting the business and the community. The first ORNL Federal Credit Union Small Business Counts cash mob was in July in Fountain City.
TJ Garland says
Waldek and Ilona are very hard-working immigrants from Poland, who escaped that dictatorship over two decades ago.
I’m sure they are not happy with the regulations and surveilence in America today
Out of the frying pan- into the fire.
Johnny Beck says
Unless you’ve actually discussed this with them and gotten their permission to share it, it’s incredibly disrespectful to put words in others’ mouths.
mary connolly says
Thank you, Johnny.
TJ Grland says
Talk to him several times a month.
Denny Phillips says
I had the opportunity to listen to Waldek speak at Roane State years ago on Constitution Day. He shared the story of the arduous process he undertook to become an American citizen. I asked him what he thought about the immigration issues facing America and he indicated then that he thought that the open border policy that de facto exists was bad.
He also shared with us the propaganda stories of Poland and how Poland uses to boast of zero unemployment while citizens were able to afford only a single pair of blue jeans every year. He warned us about Communism and told stories of how overbearing and threatening the government was.
So while I do not know what his take on the NSA and government snooping is, I do know he favors American capitalism over big government Communism.
Denny Phillips says
I do think Waldek should be careful. A couple of phone calls to the Oak Ridge Politburo and the pink pig and pink pig van could be declared “distracting” and “dangerous” for drivers.
Johnny Beck says
I’m afraid that their van will become too strong of an influence for me to fight. It will make me live a new life-motto: “In Ice Cream We Trust” and I’ll suffer horrendous mind-control-induced cravings to worship at the alter of frozen confectionery delights. This will make me balloon to pig van proportions, and the gov’t monitored traffic cameras will be used to record that and they will mark me as a “pay more for health insurance” citizen once their “What’s It All About Alfie*? insurance takes full effect.
(*Alfred E. Neuman, who I firmly believe controls the world)
Oh, the combined horror of pigs, cameras, gov’t programs, and ice cream!
I have a sudden powerful craving for — ICE CREAM!!! NOOOOO! IT’S STARTED!!! Run away, run aWAY-yay-yay-yay (to Razzleberry’s on Wednesday that is).
So ends another episode of Sarcasm Theater. Join us next week when we hear Barney screech: “Andy, come quick! They stole the Super-8, the Vista, AND Cancun’s!
You heard that in Barney’s voice, didn’t you…
Kay Williamson says
This is one of those COMMUNITY ASSETS, like big ed’s, j&m butcher shop, downtown hardware, and more than I can name that makes the MOM & POP’s SO great in our little city… anytime any organization can boost sales to keep them in business is great!!!