NEWTON GROVE — The Ice Age has come to Newton Grove in the shape of a self-serve ice delivery building that should be operational by the end of this week. A father and son business investment is bringing to the Circle City fresh-made ice that can be purchased either in the 16-pound bag or 20 pounds in loose ice.

Kim Williams, the father in the venture, shared that the ice is unlike other bagged ice in the area.

“It is made fresh right here in this location and is not ground and bagged until the customer makes a selection. You will not have to beat in on the floor to loosen it up. It will come that way.” Williams’ son, Clark, is joint partner in this their first ice house in the business they named Paradise Ice, Inc. “Both Clark’s and my cell phone numbers will be on the sign posted on the front of the building for anyone experiencing a problem so we can make sure our customers are happy and have a good experience making a purchase from us.”

The Ice House Company, which developed this particular system of producing ice, only started in 2003. The Newton Grove was unit manufactured in Moultrie, Ga. and was brought in on a flat bed truck and trailer and lifted off with a crane recently.

“It was busy around here,” expressed the new owner earlier this month. “We still have some things to get done prior to our selling our first bag of ice. Currently our biggest hurdle is getting the power hooked in. Progress Energy is working hard to get that done for us.”

The problem with the power is that the ice production facility uses a three-phased power source and Progress Energy’s three-phase power lines end at the First Citizens Bank and has to be extended to the new business, which is located on U.S. 701 North beside Eddie’s Cafe on land that is leased from Jerry and Joan Thornton.

“Progress Energy is making sure that all the easements and necessary forms and paperwork is being properly handled so we will not experience any problems in getting the power here. It just seems to be a slow process that has been going on for a while but we appreciate their diligence in making sure everything is done right.”

The elder Williams explained that the site was selected as the result of N.C. Department of Transportation study that had be completed some time prior to their search for a location. Following the information from the study, they learned that a high level of traffic passed by the site and, after an official with the Ice House Company came to assist in picking the site, the father and son contacted Thornton and his wife to see if a deal could be made.

“I cannot say how excited Jerry Thornton was at the idea and he has been one of our greatest supporters in getting the building set and ready for business,” said Kim Williams.

The owners explained that a lease of the property was more desirable than purchase due to the ability to relocate the business if the site selected did not work out as planned. “Another guy who owns an ice house near the beach, told me that he had one unit that he needed to move about a half a mile in order to be in a better location for convenience to the public and be more productive. That is why the buildings are mobile and can be easily moved if necessary,” said the father.

Although the building itself may be mobile, it is secured on site by 10 four-foot anchors and is on an eight-pier foundation, shared Clark Williams. “One the building is full it will hold 6,000 pounds of ice and I do not believe it will be moving too many places,” the son said.

“The ice is made totally on site and is never touched by human hands until it is dispensed,” stated Kim Williams. “Clark and I are excited about this new venture and hope it will prove to be a good investment. We do not expect to get rich, but hope to turn a small profit from the business. Right now we are just trying to get everything done so we can get the business up and running.”

Before the first bag is sold, company servicemen will come and run a thorough cleaning and check of the business. The Williamses explained that the controls that ensure the exact amount is dispensed, whether the 16-pound bag or the 20 pounds of loose ice, when selected by the purchaser has to be set as well as a complete sanitation cleaning that will be completed before ice is sold.

“Again we are excited about locating in Newton Grove,” shared Kim Williams. “Everyone has been so helpful and interested. In addition to the Thorntons, Sue Vernon, the branch manager of First Citizens, has been one of our most adamant supporters and we appreciate her and everyone else that has given us so much support and encouragement in getting our business up and running. We look forward to working with the people of Newton Grove and are thankful that everyone has been so extremely helpful.”

To contact Billy Todd, call 910-592-8137 ext. 117 or e-mail sigeneral@myclintonnc.com.