Chillin' with Pop Star Handcrafted Popsicles in a Retro Baby Blue VW Van

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Pop Star Handcrafted PopsiclesBefore popsicles, John Doumas had a pretty successful business career. He was part of Broadcast.com back in the mid-'90s, a little project that made a few local millionaires overnight with an IPO and at least one billionaire -- Mark Cuban. But, when Doumas turned 40 recently, he was ready for a change. His family had a long history in the food business (restaurants and grocery stores) and he felt there was a certain niche opportunity in the Dallas market for frozen treats.

"Dallas is really turning into a foodie city," Doumas said. "And it's hard to find a treat that is all natural. Popsicles are also just so nostalgic. So, I wanted to create a treat that appealed to the adult palate."

Pop-Star Handcrafted Popsicles are made from scratch in a commercial kitchen in Deep Ellum. Doumas uses all-natural and organic (when possible) ingredients, focusing on seasonal fresh fruit and produced locally when available.

Cucumber Lemon Mint is one of the most popular flavors, as is the Arnold Palmer made with organic sweet tea and lemonade. Others like Hibiscus Lemonade and Watermelon Lime helped to fill up the little pushcart that Doumas would take to the White Rock Local Market and St. Michael's Farmers Market at 8011 Douglas Ave.

Pop Star Handcrafted Popsicles

Recently, Doumas upgraded. He had the back of an old VW van converted into a Pop Star Popsicle stand. Shimmering with a new white and baby blue paint job, they simply lift the back window of the van and serve the treats via a custom-made counter.

He's also working on a new flavor for coffee lovers using a Honduran brew from local roaster Noble Coyote.

Doumas hopes to expand his business to local restaurants and grocery stores soon. He's also working on a deal with Artizone for possible home delivery. They're working out the insulated logistics.

For now, Pop Star Handcrafted Popsicles will be at the WRLM 8 a.m. to 1 p.m and the St. Michael's Farmers Market. You can keep track on the Pop Star Facebook page.

The Mecca Announces Retro Dinner Service (and Prices) For Final Meal

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When I interviewed Cheryl Hurt after a reader tipped me off that The Mecca would be moving to East Dallas, the closing date and plans for their last dinner service were still up in the air. I promised her I'd call back around the first of August and see if anything had firmed up and I just found out The Mecca is cooking up some big plans.

On August 12, the Mecca will serve its last diner plates at prices rolled back to mimic the old days. Hurt says she's not certain how far prices will drop, but they're taking the promotion pretty seriously. Right now she's looking at retro-uniforms for the staff so that everyone looks the part. The Mecca will go out a lot like it first opened in 1938.

The opening date of the new location on Live Oak Street is still a little soft. Hurt told me they're shooting for the August 17.

10422 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX

Category: Restaurant

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