What started out as a milk wagon in the 1930’s has grown into the local icon that London recognizes today as Shaw’s Ice Cream.
“Then vs Now” (ShawsIceCream/Instagram)
First opening the long-standing dairy bar in the late 1950’s, Kelly Heleniak, now co-owner of Shaw’s, started scooping their ice cream at a young age.
“We have an ice cream shop in Tillsonburg, Ont. called Dad’s Ice Cream and I started working there back when I was 11 years old,” says Heleniak.
In 2001, Heleniak says an opportunity arose to purchase the manufacturing plant as Shaw’s was going out of business.
“Working with three of my sisters, it kind of piqued our interest,” says Heleniak. “There are six girls in our family. Our two older sisters already had their jobs and our youngest sister was still in high school. But the three of us in the middle were intrigued and said “let’s jump into manufacturing and take over this plant.”
Since then, Shaw’s has been owned and operated by the three McLaughlin sisters, Kim McCutchen, Kelly Heleniak, and Kristine Hayes. The trio has expanded the company by introducing a wider distribution area for customers and private labelling.
Production of new Tim Hortons Ice Cream flavour Salted Carmel Ice Capp at Shaw’s Ice Cream Manufacturing. (Photo: Kelly Heleniak)
“A lot of people don’t realise that we do a lot of manufacturing work with other brands,” says Heleniak. “We currently work with about eight other companies on top of our Shaw’s brand.”
Heleniak adds that “Shaw’s is where we can introduce really neat flavors, from Unicorn Toots to Grammys Cupboard, and really have fun with making ice cream.”
Shaw’s holds over 45 flavors of ice cream made from 100% Canadian Dairy, emphasizing their slogan of “Taste the Difference.”
Now, Shaw’s has partnered with a 100% Canadian company, Tim Hortons, in bringing some of their iconic flavours to grocery store freezers across Canada.
“It’s really exciting to be partnering with Tim Hortons because they’re such an iconic Canadian brand,” says Heleniak.
The Tim Hortons Ice Cream will include five different flavours inspired by the “taste of Tims”; Salted Caramel Iced Capp, Double Chocolate Donut, Birthday Cake Timbits, Apple Fritter and Fruit Explosion.
“The Tim Hortons Ice Cream will include five different flavours including Fruit Explosion, Double Chocolate Donut, Salted Caramel Iced Capp, Birthday Cake Timbits, and Apple Fritter. (Photo: Tim Hortons)
Heleniak expresses her thanks not only towards Tim Hortons and the London community, but to her Shaw’s family.
“We have a really proud work family here at Shaw’s and with them the possibilities are endless.”
Celebrating over 20 years of working together, Heleniak adds a special thank you to her sisters and fellow co-owners, Kim and Kristine.
“We’ve grown a lot on top of raising our families,” says Heleniak. “Between the three of us working together, we’re also raising 10 children. But I think because of that there’s this trust that goes beyond partnering with a friend or another person in the industry, and I think that’s something that sets us apart as partners and sisters.”
[Left to right] Kim McCutchen, Kristine Hayes, and Kelly Heleniak (Photo: Kelly Heleniak)
Reflecting on International Women’s Day, Heleniak says that the McLaughlin sisters have faced a fair share of challenges as women in business.
“I think in combination with our young age, we’d heard a few comments like “I’ll give those girls a year,” back when we took over the company. In hearing some of that skepticism, I think that’s what pushed us even further. Now it’s a different game and there’s programs that encourage women getting into business, and that extra support is certainly helpful.”
In inspiring women to enter the business and management world, Heleniak says that the opportunities are endless. “You just have to go seek them out for yourself.”
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