On the Radar
ON THE RADAR | THE LOCALER
A Taste of Home
At his ice cream shop, Joseph Chaeban celebrates his adopted hometown in every scoop.
By Jeremy Freed
SOME PEOPLE SEND FLOWERS to say thank you. Joseph Chaeban opened an ice cream shop. Soon after he moved to Winnipeg, the South Osborne Syrian Refugee Initiative raised more than $90,000 to help Chaeban’s in-laws and several other families escape the war in Syria. Chaeban, a dairy scientist, wanted to show his gratitude in the best way he knew — through food. “When I saw hundreds of people gathering just to sponsor my wife’s family, I knew we had to start a business here,” he says.
Chaeban Ice Cream, an award-winning scoop shop with a menu of premium flavours, draws on Chaeban’s dairy science degree and his family’s Syrian-Lebanese heritage. The brand has expanded steadily since opening in 2017, and its ice cream is now available at retail locations throughout Winnipeg. Chaeban is also the co-founder of Chaeban Artisan, a cheesemaker whose feta and cream cheese should soon be found in grocery stores across Western Canada. Chaeban continues to pay it forward, giving back to the community through a variety of initiatives, including supporting local suppliers. He also donates a portion of the ice cream shop’s proceeds from each month’s featured flavour to local charities like the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba and the Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre, which provides resources to support Indigenous families. “Moving to Winnipeg was originally supposed to be a pit stop, but from day one, I have gained so many new friends and family and people that really care about us,” Chaeban says. “Yes, it is cold [here], but the people are unbelievable.”
Joseph Chaeban, owner of Winnipeg's Chaeban Ice Cream shop. | PHOTO: COURTESY OF JOSEPH CHAEBAN
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ON THE RADAR | PLAYLIST
What Songs Do You Road-Trip To, Loreena McKennitt?
“DRIVING IS ACTUALLY one of the few times I can really enjoy listening to music uninterrupted,” says the wildly original Celtic- and folk-music artist who’s a multi-platinum-selling Juno Award winner — and a former honorary colonel of the Royal Canadian Air Force. Her “eclectic Celtic” music has made her a perennial headliner on stages worldwide. “I cherish that time and I still listen to CDs in my car,” notes McKennitt, who was born in Morden, Manitoba. “Driving gets me away from everything, forces me to slow down and allows me to soak in the music.” –Kim Hughes
PHOTO: COURTESY OF ANN CUTTING
We are providing a preview of the artist’s playlist. The full playlist can be experienced directly on Spotify with a free account.
Spotify Playlist for Loreena McKennitt: Road-Trip Favourites
Songs may not be appropriate for everyone. Listener discretion is advised.