Belue, along with her husband Pete Belue and Connie Grubbs are the 3 Dips.
While the shop is for ice cream, the name represents the three founders.
“We came up with 3 Dips because none of us knew what we were doing and we thought we were so dippy,” Belue said.
“So actually it was about the people, not about the ice cream.”
Belue said she used to work across the street and watched building renovations next to the planned movie theater in 2008. She thought an ice cream place would go great next to a movie theatre. Then Belue and two other lunch ladies started talking about opening an ice cream shop.
They looked around for the best location and rental price and found their home on 33 S. Main St.
She and her partners approached Wright State’s business students to develop a free marketing plan.
“They told us what we had to take to the bank, what kind of licenses we had to get and where to apply for them,” Belue said. “They really helped us a lot. It was very daunting to start our own business.”
One thing that helped the women prepare for the business was their experience working in the cafeteria.
They knew most of the health rules. One of the owners left after a year. That’s when Pete Belue joined as the third dip. 3 Dips is an entirely family-run shop.
“Every high school kid I know wants to work here,” she said. “They always come up to me and asks to please let them work but I have to tell them I’m sorry. I have seven granddaughters and nieces.”
Belue said she thinks 3 Dips is so popular because of the quality of their ice cream.
They turn the ice cream so it doesn’t get frozen, they spray it and they defrost their coolers.
“I love the ice cream and the people,” Belue said. “The nice part is that it is so much fun to meet everybody. I love meeting new people and I love kids. I get to see them at the school and I get to see them here.”
3 Dips opened in June 2008. Last year, the city awarded 3 Dips with a beautification award.
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