After 37 years of serving up joy, in the form of scoops and concretes and sundaes to the Brookside Community, Foo’s Fabulous Frozen Custard, a cherished local institution, is beginning a new chapter. The original owner Joe Bremser, who founded the store in 1988, sold it to his sister Betty several years later. Betty has just completed the sale of Foo’s to two former employees, Leah Krieger, who started behind the counter as a teen-ager, hired by Betty, and Megan Reilly who worked for the Bremser Family as a young college graduate. Leah and Megan were college roommates at K-State.
The handover marks a heartfelt moment for generations of loyal customers, and decades of employees, who grew up with Foo’s signature concretes and sundaes, in a friendly, neighborhood atmosphere. Fans of the shop can rest easy however - its legacy is in good hands.
“I’ve poured my heart and soul into this place,” said Betty Bremser who bought Foo’s from her brother in 1996. “Watching Leah and Megan grow into successful young women, mothers and professionals has been a real treat. I can’t imagine better people carrying it forward. All the Foo’s former and current employees are excited to see them grow and succeed.”
“I grew up here, I live here - this store was my summer job, my second home,” said Leah. “Working with the Bremser’s right out of college gave me a sense of community. Bringing my kids here now is a great pleasure” said Megan, “It’s exciting to be stepping into this role with Leah.”
The new owners plan to retain the current staff, preserve fan-favorite flavors, like the Cookie Dough Crumble, Leah’s creation, and continue the store’s long-standing involvement in local events and fundraisers. A few new menu items and updated interiors are in the works - but the heart and soul of the shop will remain unchanged.
“It’s just the best possible scenario, in my opinion.” said Betty, “My customers and my employees will be in good hands. And both of those things are extremely important to me. Brookside is a very special place.”
The Brookside Business Association is excited to see Foo's and Betty's legacy continue. "Betty has been a long-time stalwart in our Brookside community for many years. We wish her the best, and we're glad to be working with more hometown business owners," side Brookside Business Association President Josephine Njoroge.