Women in Business Spotlight: Cindy Spaniol with IceHouse
Downtown Oregon City is powered by our small businesses. We recently learned more about one of the women-owned businesses in our community, IceHouse, which is a lively sports bar in the heart of downtown Oregon City. Read on to learn more about co-owner Cindy Spaniol.
Cindy Spaniol has been running IceHouse alongside co-owner Paul since 2013; it was a dream of theirs to start a business, so they purchased IceHouse and it’s been locally owned ever since. This sports bar also serves daily breakfast from 10-2 and they are always looking at expanding their offerings to meet the needs of the community, such as opening a large covered outdoor patio with lots of tables, chairs and heated areas. You’ll find a spacious indoor bar area, filled with sports posters, arcade games, and much more.
Keep up with them on Facebook! They post regularly about their specials, $1 wing days, and love to hold events when it’s safe to do so like karaoke and live music!
IceHouse is located on the corner of Main St. & 12th at 1200 Main St Oregon City, OR 97045. Come in and see them!
The past year has hit businesses hard, especially our local bars, and IceHouse is no exception to that. Cindy tells us that “it was hard but also good. We had to reinvent ourselves, sharpen our skills and get creative.” One thing they did was partner with Food on Demand (which is also local) so their customers can have food delivered.
She is so grateful for the folks who ordered food to go, used Food on Demand for delivery, or who continue to stop in for a quick bite or drink. Cindy mentions it’s because of the community that they are standing tall.
“I want to thank the community for their generous support through the last 18 months and going forward together.” Cindy
She let us know that although the past year threw a lot of unknowns their way, she believes their business became a better part of the community. When the wildfires happened, they opened IceHouse to be a place to take in donations and food. They and the community stepped up to support our local firefighters by donating what they could. It’s no doubt that community is instilled in Cindy, and it pours into IceHouse.
When she’s not spending time inside the bar, she’s active in the outdoors spending time with her dog and family. She loves to camp, and can’t wait to go back to seeing some live concerts when the time comes.
What would you tell other women who want to start a business or make money doing something she loves?
“Follow your heart. Reach for those brass rings, because you’re the only one who will do it for yourself. I have fallen down many times, but I keep getting back up, so put one foot in front of the other and keep trying.” She further mentions “to not give up on your dreams, because when you least think you can is when you are the closest.”
Cindy is motivated by her faith, her people and her work. She enjoys a challenge saying, “if you tell me I can’t do it, I will try!”
“The people here make the difference because of the experience they create.” Cindy
A reviewer online agrees saying, “fun people, great service, heated outdoor area and fire pits.”
Before IceHouse, Cindy was in accounting and spent most of her days sitting behind a desk longing for more socializing, and since becoming a partner in IceHouse she feels like a piece of her is whole now.
It makes sense that her favorite thing about being part of IceHouse is the relationships she’s built along the way with her employees and customers. She’s also very excited to start planning events again, because that’s another favorite aspect of her business she enjoys.
Whether you come to IceHouse for their wonderful breakfast, stop in for a cold one or pick up food to go, it’s apparent that creating connection and building a community in their lively sports bar is important to Cindy and Paul. Through our conversation with Cindy, she was so grateful to the community, their dedicated and hardworking employees and all the people who have supported them. They are doing all they can to be here for you when you need a friendly face.
How to connect and support IceHouse
- Stop in for some food or a drink at 1200 Main St Oregon City, OR 97045
- Order online through Food on Demand
- Follow them on Facebook
Leaving a review and sharing about your favorite local businesses online goes a very long way. If you find a few spare minutes to do that, it’s always appreciated by your local businesses!
