Neighborhood Business Highlight: Oxsicles
Owner, Elizabeth Speed
Who knew taking on a new business during Covid would actually bring people together? Elizabeth Speed purchased Oxsicles from Lauren Klimentz right before the pandemic began in 2020. Elizabeth shared, “It was a rocky first popsicle season but I made it work by doing the Oxford Community Farmer's Market, continuing to build my retail locations and hosting neighborhood pop-ups for small outdoor events. This really helped me to get to know more people in town and bring Oxsicles to them in their neighborhoods.” Our neighborhood hosted a “pop-up” during Covid, and it was such a treat to see our neighbors and let our kids (and adults) connect over delicious pops!
Since taking over the business, Elizabeth has been making it her own. Elizabeth shared, “When I bought the business from Lauren, she gave me her recipes. I then started trying them out and tweaking them to my tastes. My sons and the kids in our neighborhood did a lot of taste testing as well! I did some research online and bought some popsicle cookbooks and started developing some newer flavors and expanding our menu. We always have 10 regular flavors - Strawberry, Chocolate, Pink Lemonade, Hibiscus Lime, Blue Grape, Mango, Green Machine, Orange Dream, Lavender Lemonade and Pineapple Dragonfruit. In addition, I use fresh fruit when it's in season to make Watermelon, Peach, Blueberry and Honeydew Jalapeno. I've also recently partnered with Highpoint Coffee to make a Salted Caramel Latte pop. It's delicious! And, I also make pupsicles. They are sold at Crossroads Animal Hospital.”
Elizabeth makes all of her popsicles in a commercial kitchen. Her popsicle machine can freeze up to 78 popsicles at a time in 7-10 minutes. Oxsicles has two popsicle carts that hold up to 750 popsicles each and 5 part-time employees (her “popstars”) that help make pops, deliver pops and work events.
Oxsicles pops can be found at the Oxford Community Market every Tuesday from 3-6:30 pm at the Old Armory Pavillion. In addition, Oxsicles can be found at special events in the Grove (like the summer concert series), Music and Arts festivals (like North MS Hill Country Picnic, Watermelon Carnival, Double Decker, Tallahatchie River Fest), community events, campus events, private parties and school events. Retail locations are at these Oxford locations: Chicory Market, The Lily Pad, Sugar Magnolia, Local Honey, Ole Miss campus (in the PODS) and Highpoint Coffee. You can also find Oxsicles at Camp Creek Natives in New Albany.
We ask our Neighborhood businesses how the Oxford and Lafayette county real estate market affects them. Elizabeth shared, “Well, I think the number of new families and individuals that are always moving to Oxford helps grow my clientele. I've recently catered a neighborhood association party in Windsor Falls and a party in Splinter Creek. I've also had the opportunity to treat the seniors at Beau Ridge Independent Living.”
We are so grateful to Elizabeth for bringing delicious treats to our community and neighborhoods. You can find Oxsicles on social media @Oxsicles or check out her website at Oxsicles.com. There is a form to ORDER OXSICLES that gives you the ability to book, invite her to be a vendor, inquire about becoming a retailer, or even apply for a job! As Elizabeth recently shared, “Selling Oxsicles is like being paid to go to a party!”
Neighborhoods close by: Oxsicles can come to any neighborhood in Lafayette county – just set up a “pop-up” event!
