IHA Day Franchise Is A Dream Come True For Two Friends

It has been a long journey for two friends, who although being from the Philippines, actually met in Taiwan and later came together in Moose Jaw to live their dreams.

That dream took a big leap forward when they opened a IHA Day franchise at 24 Fairford Street West on September 8th.

Eleanor Carretero is originally from the city of Marilao in the Philippine province of Bulacan – about 30 minutes north of Manila.

Melanie Paderna is originally from the city of Penarando in the Philippine province of Neuva Ecija – about three hours north of Manila.

Eleanor Carretero (left) and Melanie Paderna have opened their own bubble tea shop in the city.

Neither of them knew each other until they met at a factory run by Ado Optronics where they worked at a plant manufacturing small light bulbs for computers and cellphones.

“There was no day off. When I first got there I worked for a month and there was no day off. And everyday you had to work 16 hours a day,” Carretero said.

Despite working long hours, she used her business skills from previously running a cafeteria in the Philippines, to set a small business selling goods to Filipinos in the factory dormitory which they sent home to their families.

“I still did business in Taiwan I was buying and selling goods. I was always looking to do business. I was selling laptops, dry goods, chocolate milk and chocolate bars others sent home,” she said, adding a friend would bring the goods to the factory dormitory.

The pair were both on work contracts where they could stay in Taiwan for up to three years and then they had to return to the Philippines before being able to return on another work contract.

“Immigration is very strict in Taiwan. You have to leave after three years,” Carretero.

With her work contract set to expire Carretero decided to apply for an opportunity for a work permit as a sandwich artist to work at the then Macs/Subway on Main Street North. It was an easy decision.

“I know Canada is one of the best countries in the world and the door opened…you can also apply for permanent residency while in Taiwan a contract worker is a contract worker.”

Despite being in Taiwan Carretero applied and was accepted.

“We (Newcomers) are all lucky to come here all the people who come here are all thankful to Canada to give us this opportunity.”

Arriving in 2009 Carretero said she almost immediately got to work on her dream to have her own business in Canada.

“I don’t want to be a worker for the rest of my life. I want to build my own life.”

To build her dream Carretero said was often working three jobs to not only save money to start a business but also send money home to help her parents.

Moose Jaw and Canada was a paradise for Carretero.

“In the Philippines it is hard to find a job. Here there are lots of jobs. Just don’t be too picky.”

Paderna would likewise see her dream of coming to Canada become reality in 2010. For Padera though her Canadian journey would begin in Waterloo, Ontario.

The move was made to Moose Jaw because she had no family in Ontario.

“I don’t have family there. All of my friends are here in Saskatchewan.”

Carretero said Moose Jaw might be a smaller city but it offers many advantages over top of Toronto.

“It's much safer here than Toronto. It’s too crowded in Toronto. Here in Moose Jaw we are just starting to build up our city…My brother lives in Toronto he wants me to move there. It’s too crowded there and it is much better to live here.”

But why bubble tea?

‘It originated in Taiwan. It's everywhere there. On every block there is a bubble tea there. The Taiwanese want to eat outside with street food and everyone is drinking bubble tea,” Paderna said.

Although a good portion of the potential market is the Filipino, Thai and Chinese communities the pair said it is also a product which would also fit North American tastes.

The pair feels bubble tea is a good product to introduce to the Moose Jaw market.

Theirs is the third franchise in the province the other two being in Regina and Swift Current.

Asked about their location selection the pair said they chose it due to the potential of tourist traffic, City Hall and the police station right across the street.

Moose Jaw is also a good location as they are the only cafe in the city offering it. There is no competition.

The pair said they started the process of opening the business in March but with the time getting permits and renovations they missed the Summer tourist season.

So what is bubble tea?

Bubble tea is a drink based upon teas along with flavours. The secret of the drink is the tapioca you drink using a straw sucking the tapioca beads into your mouth as they gingerly massage the palate not only enhancing the taste but playfully dancing around the mouth.

There are three types of natural tea – black, along and green – sourced from Taiwan for the product.

The café offers not only numerous types of bubble tea but also fresh juices, milk as well as just regular hot tea.

To help the curious experience the taste of the toppings they provide small tasting samples to help customers to decide.

The café is open from 11 am to 9 pm daily and there is seating or you take it to go. There is free Wi-Fi.

For more information check out their Facebook page