Kid Sister, Not Just Popsicles Anymore.

I had the chance to meet up with the good people of Kid Sister on what felt like the first day of summer peeking through the April showers. Located among the churches, government buildings, and apartments of North Park, Kid Sister is a bit of a hidden gem. While the name may not be familiar to all, their products surely are. For the last three seasons, Kid Sister has been known to many Victorians as Fruition Paletas, or simply the “popsicle store”. And while the brightly coloured interior has been replaced by clean, modern subway tiles, the fresh fruit popsicles (paletas) and homemade ice cream remain just as delicious.

When asked about the revamp, Willow Rode, the face of the family run business, said, “Many people had trouble remembering the name, as well as pronouncing it. And besides,” she continued, “we have expanded our menu to include a lot more than paletas.”

In addition to the favourite traditional Latin American fruit popsicles, which come in such tantalizing flavours as Mango Raspberry Lime, Wild Blueberry Lemon, and White Plum Black Currant, there are rich ice cream paletas, from Coconut Espresso, to Chocolate-Dipped Ginger, and Roasted Rhubarb and Vanilla Creamsicle.

The expanded menu offers refreshing house-made sodas mixed from their own natural syrups and soda water (Concord Grape, Cream Soda, Apple, and Chocolate were available the day I visited), as well as ice cream pies, floats, sundaes, and the classic ice cream scoop served in a house-made waffle cone (swoon). “We make everything on the premises,” said Rode, “No mucking about here.”

Their passion and attention to detail creates artisanal products that one can feel good about enjoying. As Rode explained, all the ice creams are made from organic Avalon dairy and eggs with “as much local produce as [they] can source” going into the fruit-based treats. Even the packaging is biodegradable.

The inspiration for Kid Sister comes directly from owner Brett Black’s travels through Mexico.  “We really liked what they were doing down there, and saw that nobody in Victoria had anything similar to offer.”  Production of the paletas is a bit of a one-man show, with Black producing the endless array of amazing icy treats himself on a unique popsicle machine brought in from Mexico. “Brett makes great paletas. He has such incredible flavour combinations,” says Rode. Black adds, “We try to make it all about the fruit.”  Which is clear once you taste a Roasted Pineapple or Key Lime Pie pop. “Nothing here is too sweet. Basically, we like to make things we like to eat. It’s a taste of Mexico even if you’re in Victoria,” Rode concluded.

Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 12-6 pm & 12-7pm in the summer. Currently open from April-October, but soon to be extended.

website (in development) 

Facebook: getyourkidsister

Instagram: @kidsistershop

Twitter @fruitionpaletas

Address: 837 Fisgard Street

Phone Number: 778-432-3533

— Sophie MacKenize