Today we’d like to introduce you to Shanika and Jomar Sheppard.
Hi Shanika and Jomar, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
We relocated to Columbus Ohio from Philadelphia in December 2017 due to my company getting acquired by Ascena Retail Group. While in Columbus, we noticed that Water Ice was not a big item in Columbus since there were only 3 Rita’s Italian ice shops, so we decided to bring Water Ice to Columbus. We started in at Eastland Mall with 1 cart and we also participated in festivals throughout the city the following year we transitioned to Tuttle Mall and still continued to operate in festivals and conduct private events. When 2020 occurred, we had to pivot and offered online ordering and delivered the water ice to customers. A breaking opportunity occurred for us in 2020 when we served our Water Ice at a showing of Just Mercy at Easton Mall. Easton Mall is the biggest indoor/outdoor mall in Columbus, Ohio. At this event, Rita Fueller Yates introduced to one of the VPs and helped us to execute a lease in 2021 making us the 2nd Black Owned Business to operate in this mall. We still continued to participate in festivals, and while at the festivals we observed how people in Columbus enjoyed food, therefore, we decided a bigger ticket item was needed which prompted us to keep the Philly theme going so we decided to start a food trailer that specialized in Philly cheesesteaks. We started our food trailer in June of 2021, and based on the solid success and support we decided to open our first brick & mortar space. Our restaurant opened April 30, 2022, and it’s been going strong we have received great support from the community and surrounding areas within Columbus.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s challenging starting a business, especially with knowing that 80% of new business have the possibility of failing. Starting out we had to push to get our name of there especially since Water Ice was not known in Columbus, OH. 2020 was a challenging year due to Covid, which caused us to pivot and get creative on how to generate business.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Our restaurant specializes in authentic Philly cheesesteaks, dipper-style French fries, loaded Kobe Fries, Water Ice, and Twisted Ice which is our alcohol-infused water ice and you can only get Twisted Ice at Marlow’s Cheesesteaks. What sets us apart is that our cheesesteaks contain all the key ingredients that make up the Philly cheesesteak and our French fries are unique in shape and taste andThe Twisted Ice uses our water ice and is infused with alcohol which is only available at Marlow’s.
What makes you happy?
We are happy for a number of reasons as outlined below.
1. We were able to open up a brick & mortar restaurant one year after starting a food trailer
2. Able to provide a taste of our hometown to Columbus Ohio
3. Unbelievable support that we have received from the community
4. To be in position to start up and operate a small business
Pricing:
- Sandwiches start at $12.00
- Water Ice is available in 3 price points: small $3, large $5, and quart $10
- French Fries start at $4
- Twisted Ice $10
Contact Info:
- Website: www.marlowscheesesteaks.com
- Instagram: @marlowscheesesteaks
- Facebook: @marlowscheesesteaks
- Yelp: Marlow’s Steaks
Mike
September 5, 2022 at 5:13 pm
My wife and I are transplants from Bucks county. We’re not only happy with living here, BUT once we visited
Marlowe we are in heaven!
Keep up the good work, and consider sauce and Tasty Cake