MOORHEAD — The Freez ice cream shop and fast-food restaurant is for sale.
The local icon, with its neon ice cream cone sign, is listed online for $255,000 by real estate firm RE/MAX Commercial.
The tiny eatery — 312 square feet — has been serving frozen treats and tasty eats for decades.
The sale price includes the building (built in 1960), the 16,156-square-foot lot, the restaurant equipment, inventory and outdoor furniture, according to the listing.
Jessica Malvin and Jessica Verdi own The Freez, which is currently operating following its spring schedule of hours.
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Malvin said she decided that she needs to spend more time with her family after her son was diagnosed last fall with a genetic condition that has required seeing a number of medical specialists.
“It was a wake-up call for me, working 80 hours a week. I decided to cut back,” Malvin said Wednesday, May 3.
After 22 years of working in the treat shop, she said the decision to get out of the business has been difficult.
“I absolutely love it, but ultimately my family comes first and I need to be with them,” Malvin said.
The Freez is at 410 19th St. S., just off Main Avenue near the Moorhead railroad underpass at Main and 20th and 21st Streets, Moorhead High School and Minnesota State University Moorhead.
The restaurant used to be called Tastee Freez, but lost its franchise in fall of 2020, reopening that following spring as The Freez.
Malvin and Verdi both have other jobs, and Malvin said Verdi isn't interested in being a sole owner.
“We went into it as partners. I don’t think we could do it without each other,” Malvin said, adding, ”We have been fully upfront with all of our employees with everything.”
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The restaurant had been owned and operated by Duane "Dr. Freeze" and Fern Elofson from 1991 to 2017, when it was purchased by Malvin and Verdi.
Malvin said there has already been some interest in the business.
“Our ultimate goal is we want someone to keep it running,” she said, promising to keep people updated when new owners are found.
“I’m incredibly grateful for all the support and love we’ve had through the years,” Malvin said. “I love it so much. I’m going to miss my customers and I’m going to miss my employees.”
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