It turns out that 49º has some significance to the two young entrepreneurs. After thinking long and hard about a name, they realized that Souris is located on the 49th parallel. In addition to that, their new building is at 49 Crescent Avenue. They both felt that it must be a sign, so 49º was born.
Both Jessica and Larissa already have business experience. Jessica runs a sewing business, Grit & Grace out of her home. She sells headbands, scrunchies, shirts and other handmade items. Larissa runs Cozy Crate Designs, where she does vinyl printing on apparel. If that is not enough to keep them busy, they are raising seven children between them, Jessica and Craig with their three and Larissa and Lyle with their four children. Through all of this, they have found the time to purchase and are in the midst of extensive renovations on their new building. They are right up to their shirttails in paint, saws and hammers all while managing to keep the kids out of the paint can.
The building that they have purchased includes 49, 51, and 53 Crescent Avenue, formerly Hair Designs and The Souris Plaindealer, more recently Idea-nna’s Designs. Renovations are underway in 53 so that Idea-nna’s Designs can move into that space. Once that work is completed, they will begin the job of readying the space for the new shop.
“We are hoping to have this space ready for Idea-nna’s by April 1,” explained Jessica. “Once that’s done we’ll get to work on ours. We are really pushing for a June 1 opening.”
Once 49º is open, they will be serving hard and soft ice cream, specialty coffees, smoothies, milkshakes and other intriguing items. The women love baking and along with soups, wraps, and other light lunch items, there will be biscuits, muffins and other treats.
The location of the new ice cream and coffee shop is ideal for walk up traffic from the campground during summer months. In addition to that, the women look forward to offering a spot for people who live in the vicinity such as Victoria Park Lodge and Crescent Manor to sit down and have coffee and a place to visit. Their plan is to have a walk up window out front and a patio in the back. Tentative plans are in the works for a bench or two or perhaps a bistro table out front but at this time they have not approached the municipality to see what is required for that to happen.
The full menu for 49º is evolving and both Larissa and Jessica say they are busy searching out suppliers and getting everything in order for June.
Until that time, you can follow their progress when you are out walking or driving down Crescent Avenue in Souris.

by DARCI SEMESCHUK, Recorder Staff