Padrino’s Pops provides tasty treats for passers-by

The Lipscomb community gets a new icy treat next door with Padrino’s Pops. The new paletas shop opened next to the Copper Kettle on Granny White Pike in March. “My family made Popsicles 25 years ago,” said Lorena Cantu, owner of the shop. “We want to make something fresh here in Tennessee.” Cantu wishes to follow her father Geronimo, who started making paletas, also known as Popsicles, in 1978. By following his footsteps, Cantu creates paletas made with fresh fruit daily. There are several choices to choose from once you walk into the colorful store. There’s two different types of paletas, cream or water based. A chalkboard menu is hung on the right wall and lists all the flavors that are available, from strawberries and cream, banana and even cucumber. Another specialty Padrino’s Pops provides is the Agua Fresca, a water and fruit drink that’s heavily popular in Mexico. “It’s like a smoothie without all the heavy cream,” said Lipscomb student Virginia Lodholz, who tried a sample of Piña Colada Agua Fresca. “It’s refreshing.” Cantu wishes to expand the love of the paletas and Agua Frescas. “We want to cater, and we want to open franchises,” Cantu said. “This is our first one, but we want to open more popsicles in Nashville and in other cities.” Visit their website for more...
Las Paletas proves to be the perfect cure for feverishly hot summer days

Las Paletas proves to be the perfect cure for feverishly hot summer days

Are you breaking a sweat while walking from class to your car this summer? You’re not the only one, and Las Paletas is the perfect remedy to beating the heat. This Mexican popsicle shop located on 12th Ave. South has an extensive amount of flavors-all made with fresh, natural ingredients. They make fruit-only paletas, creamy paletas and “other paletas” like cucumber with hot peppers, hibiscus and avocado. From adults in business suits to mothers with small children, people of all ages come to Las Paletas.  Sevier Park is conveniently located just across the street, too, which is an added bonus to the shop’s location. As a college student, I find Las Paletas to be an inexpensive, fun way to venture out of the usual flavor selections to more adventurous options like creamy avocado and chocolate with hot peppers. I don’t even like avocados, but I am hooked on the creamy, smooth avocado paleta. Las Paletas has already received national exposure from The Food Network, The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, but Irma Paz-Bernstein, co-owner of the shop, is cautious of growing the business. “Success is very subjective,” says Paz-Bernstein. “To have kids prefer our paletas over ice-cream, we change kids’ tastes. We even had a marriage proposal here! We get to be part of people’s stories and that is a true success.” Las Paletas is open this summer from noon-8 p.m. on Tuesday through Saturday and noon-6 p.m. on Sunday. So, drop by Las Paletas, pick a Mexican caramel paleta and take a stroll through the park with that special someone. Many establishments around town sell...