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Celebrating 25 Years of Fritz’s Frozen Custard, 1st Location in Florissant
DEBBIE and TERRY FRITZ, owners of Fritz’s Frozen Custard, often don the company’s uniform complete with bow ties and white shirts and work shifts at their Florissant and St. Peters locations.
Jane Banaszek photo
For Debbie and Terry Fritz it’s sometimes hard to believe they are celebrating their 25th year in business. Fritz’s Frozen Custard began its 25th season with opening day on March 2. Fritz’s, home of the trademarked turtle sundae, had all its locations open that day.
Fritz’s, known for their original custard recipe, quality desserts and friendly customer service, opened their first store in 1983 in historic Old Town Florissant, at the corner of St. Catherine and New Florissant Road.
Since then, Fritz’s has expanded to seven stores throughout the metropolitan St. Louis region including: St. Peters (506 Jungermann), O’Fallon (2453 Hwy. K), West County (815 Meramec Station Rd.), Wentzville (1105 West Pearce Blvd), Washington, Mo. (1810 Bedford Center Dr.) and Godfrey IL. (3318 Godfrey Rd.)
“From the beginning when we greeted our first customer by saying ‘Hi, welcome to Fritz’s’, we have always tried to serve every customer a great tasting, quality dessert and to make them feel genuinely appreciated,” said Debbie Fritz, co-owner of Fritz’s with husband Terry Fritz. “We also provide a family-friendly, ’50-’60s soda fountain style atmosphere where customers can sit down and relax while enjoying their desserts,” Fritz added.
Several Fritz’s locations also offer drive-thru service. All stores now accept Master Card and Visa.
Terry recalls how a plug on KMOX Radio’s Jack Carney Show back in the early ’80s. help establish them as a frozen custard franchise as big at Ted Drew’s. “Carney came here and loved our custard so much, he raved about it on his show.” Back then, the Jack Carney show was the top rated radio show in the metro area. Ted Drew’s was one of the station’s major advertisers.
The “Carney Concrete” was renamed the “Special Concrete” in tribute to the late Jack Carney. A few years later, Fritz’s opened their second location in St. Peters. The Wentzville and Washington, Missouri and Godfrey, Illinois locations were added in 2004.
Other highlights in the 25 years of Fritz’s include:
•An Employee Appreciation bash, which started in 1983 and still, continues annually.
•Began free baby cones to kids under 3 in 1983.
•Introduced Chocolate hand-dipped frozen custard in 1984.
•Created the Blueberry Hill sundae while riding a motorcycle and the Adam’s Apple sundae after their first son, Adam.
•Introduced Flavors of the Day in 1985 which are listed in their monthly calendars
•Namesake Corey-O concrete named after son Corey born in 1985.
•Namesake Bryan’s Hawaiian named after son Bryan born in 1988.
•Began Car Hop Services Nights in 1989.
•Introduced no sugar added/low carb vanilla frozen custard a few years ago.
“We have had many families working for us over the years,” said Debbie. “One in particular has had all six of their children work for us, including one who is doing a great job for us as a manager.”
