It is living the American Dream.
It is about following plans and designs.
It is making a difference.
At a time when tributes and praises roll in by longtime Aurorans about the late 94-year-old John Galles, who died August 14 after many years as owner of Johno’s on Downer Place (see page 12), another dream takes another step one block west at 6 E. Downer Place. Esther and Mike Saltijeral’s two-year dream was brought into focus Friday with the ribbon-cutting at Charlie’s Silver Spoon Creamery. They served 15 brands of ice cream to the crowd following the ribbon-cutting.
The Saltijerals were students at East Aurora High School in the late 1980s. She helped her husband with his successful construction business in the Chicago area. She nurtured a dream to have her own business. They bought the sturdy Silverplate, Mfg. building in 2017 and set the course. Aurora downtown needed an ice cream place in the community. “We make our own ice cream (in the first floor kitchen),” she said. “We will add more flavors when we can as an ongoing process.”
Two years ago the first floor (above) did not have ice cream flavors, but, progress was more evident in the last few months, thanks in part to Jeremy Jensen’s leadership of Elemy LLC., based in Aurora. The interior is well done and the details have been thorough in every dimension. Friday’s ribbon-cutting offered final touches. The nine newly-hired employees scurried, cleaned, and offered assistance. Saturday evening at 9:30 p.m., still open, nearly 30 customers, following performances at The Venue and Paramount Theatre, roamed inside for ice cream flavors. Some customers Friday and Saturday wore T-shirts with the name of the business on the front.
A dream followed flows freely to a community.