A bright red caboose sits at the center of Chamblee’s downtown, serving a rotating selection of delicious ice cream. Pam Kachmar left 20-years in human resources and sales to open and run this Chamblee landmark. The resulting ice cream shop, The Frosty Caboose, has been a mainstay since its opening in 2009.
Over the past 17 years, Pam and her family have watched the Chamblee business scene transform around them, and their shop has been witness to it all. First, Vintage Pizza and a few antique shops were their only neighbors. Now, new and fabulous businesses keep cropping up, and others become fellow staples of the city. The foot traffic has increased tenfold, and even as people grow up and move away, they’ll still drive in for a scoop of their favorite nostalgic ice cream.
There’s something inherently special about those local neighborhood spots you can count on. Especially a place that’s truly wholesome, family-friendly, and staffed with local students. The Frosty Caboose is somewhere residents visit again and again. It’s a comfort treat and a tradition for so many in Chamblee. And at its heart, it’s a family business through and through.
Pam was inspired by her brother, whose building business at the time of The Frosty Caboose's opening primed him to see Chamblee's potential. It was Pam's brother and her brother-in-law who installed the caboose and laid down the tracks themselves. Pam’s children work as shift supervisors when they’re in town and available, and her husband even helped with the logo and website design!
Chamblee, known as a “city on the right track,” gave them the idea for the train theme, especially as its location faces the local tracks. Its eye-catching building, a Missouri Pacific caboose brought in all the way from Iowa, makes it an ideal place to bring along visitors and tourists alike. Greenwood Ice Cream, a local staple for over 70 years, has provided products, and they now source from vendors that aren't available in grocery stores.
This community spirit isn’t an exception; it’s the rule. The Frosty Caboose hosts several fundraisers, spirit nights for Chamblee City Schools, and contributes to the beloved “Taste of Chamblee.” They also provide auction items, donations, and offer their land for the kids' zone when needed. Girl Scout troops set up their cookie tables, providing the perfect pairing in the spring. This commitment to community involvement and contribution provides a deep level of satisfaction. "A lot of kids have grown up with us,” Pam says with gratitude. “The community has totally supported us."
Before Pam’s corporate tenure, she received her degree in Industrial Psychology from Moravian College. Then, two decades in human resources and later, sales, gave her excellent preparation for the life of an entrepreneur. Managing staff, especially in a retail setting with seasonal variability, is a vital skill. "You're basically married to the business if it's your own,” she shares. “Anything goes wrong, you're there. Staff doesn't show up, or they're out sick, you're there." This dedication reaps its own rewards. Building something from scratch that becomes a constant in a community is no small feat.
The Frosty Caboose is one of the few businesses that thrived during the pandemic. As customers ordered from the window, people were able to enjoy their favorite ice cream and mill about, in a time when any type of gathering fed everyone’s soul on a deep level. It became many people’s “happy place” in a stressful and unprecedented period of time.
Ice cream is the treat people reach for in good times and bad. Aced your test? That calls for a cone. Bad breakup? Grab a pint and wallow. The Frosty Caboose’s options cater to a variety of dietary restrictions, ensuring there’s a flavor for everyone. Non-dairy, low-fat, and no-sugar specifications are all available. Their website even includes an astrological guide to choosing your order based on your sign! Pam’s personal favorite is the always classic mint chocolate chip, and they work to ensure they bring in new, exciting flavors that cater to the seasons, while keeping their mainstays available.
While entrepreneurship carries certain responsibilities and pressures, Pam emphasizes the creative freedom she’s been afforded since opening The Frosty Caboose. It’s empowering to make major decisions that impact the entire business and to contribute to the community as much as desired. They take their role in Chamblee seriously. The city has exploded in growth since its opening in 2009, and they’ve watched with delight as the community has expanded, with no end in sight. “We wanted something fun for the city,” Pam states simply. Kids and adults alike find joy in ordering their favorite ice cream out of a real-life caboose. Whimsy and life’s simple pleasures collide at The Frosty Caboose. Make it a staple of your family’s summer - you won’t regret this delicious tradition!
“A lot of kids have grown up with us. The community has totally supported us."
The Frosty Caboose is somewhere residents visit again and again. It’s a comfort treat and a tradition for so many in Chamblee. And at its heart, it’s a family business through and through.