Business Brief PK ICE HOUSE

Story by Michelle Ince

PK Ice House is officially open, and new owners Ronica and Thomas Humphrey are excited to breathe life back into what was once a very successful business at PK.

Ronica Humphrey said she previously owned a property management company for 35 years and managed more than 400 properties between Dallas and Houston by herself, and she attributed that to her suffering what’s known as a “widowmaker†heart attack at the age of 46.

She said she met her husband three years ago, and he convinced her it was time to sell her company. She said he told her that she would have another heart attack if she didn’t stop.

At first, the couple thought about pursuing an RV park venture, thinking that would be a good fit, but then decided to leave Texas after 50 years because it was “too darn hot.â€

The Humphreys ended up in Vermont, where they bought a bed and breakfast, and they also operated a barbecue food truck. As Ronica Humphrey put it, the couple brought Texas barbecue to “those damn Yankees.†She said the food truck was such a success that every newspaper in Vermont ran a story on it, but Humphreys only made it two years in the Green Mountain State.   Ronica Humphrey said she recalled thinking to herself, “It snows eight months out of the year here. I’m ready to go home and play golf.â€

So the couple decided to come home to Texas, and at first they focused on their family by visiting their children. After that, they planned to act on their “bucket list.†They were both in their mid-50s at this point, she said, adding that it was then that she had a realization.

“I opened up my big mouth and said, ‘I’m not done making money yet. I want to do this here in Texas somewhere,’ †she said.

The Humphreys started looking for places around Breckenridge and Graham, and it was around that time that the Ice House popped up.

“It was just like it hit,†she said, “like, ‘This is the place.’ This place is very cool.â€

A sampling of food items being served up at PK Ice House:

Thomas Humphrey said he still hasn’t gotten to play golf, but he added that getting the PK Ice House up and running has been great.

Ronica Humphrey said when she and her husband first came to PK, they met a great man named Josh Cassillas who introduced them to a lot of great people. Cassillas passed away recently, and the couple placed a picture of him above the bar to honor his memory. They also held a memorial for Cassillas at the Ice House.

“He helped do a lot of work on this place,†she said. “He made it what it is today with us as well.â€

Ronica Humphrey said business has been good, and the couple plans to have acoustic music on Friday nights as the business heads into the fall and winter months. They’ve also added karaoke on Thursdays and “music bingo†on Tuesdays, just to give locals something fun to do.

The Humphreys said they’ve also brought authentic Mexican food to PK, and the Ice House serves brunch on Saturdays and Sundays.