VIDEO: New ice cream place takes dipping cones to the next level

| May 24, 2023 in Kelowna

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Is that a Thai place just down Ellis from BNA? Or is it an ice cream parlour?

The answer is yes on both counts.

Owner Prab Dhillon has opened both a Thai Express and La Diperie in one location.

Whether it's the savoury spice of Thai or a decadent dessert, this place has the bases covered.

On the La Diperie side, the ice cream is just the beginning.

"We can dip it in one of 30 different chocolates," said Dhillon. "And then we have 22 different toppings."

La Diperie also has mini donuts, and cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory.

Just a few steps away, the business has a Thai Express.

"It's all fresh Thai food,' said Dhillon. But he said it's the express part that's most important.

"The biggest thing for us is timing," he said.

"We want to be able to push dishes out fast. If someone comes in for lunch if they have half an hour break, we don't want them waiting 20 minutes for their food."

The business model is also to be ready to service the DoorDash, Skip the Dishes crowd.

"And we're running the Cheesecake Factory because we sell their cakes, we bring them in from New York and that's its own restaurant on Skip the Dishes, DoorDash and Uber Eats."

If that's not enough, Dhillon says there are more surprises coming in the summer as well.

Part of the strategy is to serve people who get those late-night cravings, with plans to stay open late.

"Fridays and Saturday's 2 am," he said. "Sunday to Thursday, midnight."

The biggest challenge, as it is for many service-related businesses, is finding enough staff, especially for such late hours.

"That's why we have family in here, my mom, my dad, my sister," just trying to make everything work out the best we can."

So whether it's something sweet or something spicy, this place is aiming to be your option, even when it's late.

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