A ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday honored the new owner of the iconic Banana Split ice cream shop in Aurora.
The event at the shop at 820 Church Road put the spotlight on Daniel Cuevas, 28, a graduate of Aurora Central Catholic High School, a United States Marine Corps veteran and a recent graduate of Aurora University who recently took over the business.
Clayton Muhammad, chief engagement and equity officer for the city of Aurora, said that Cuevas serves as a model for future young business owners.
“When you have young people like him who have graduated from Aurora schools and now life has come full-circle and he and others are invested in their community and opening businesses, it kind of gives permission for the youth of Aurora to do the same,” Muhammad said. “You can follow your dreams and be a substantive part of your community.”
Muhammad said that Banana Split is truly an “iconic business” in the city.
“This is Aurora through and through and what (original owners) Randy and Lisa Brown built, it has stood the test of time, but they saw something in Daniel and knew he would be the best one to take on the brand,” he said.
Cuevas took over the shop on Aug. 14. The Browns were adamant about the new owner continuing in the tradition of the mom-and-pop business they ran for over 40 years and found the person they were looking for in Cuevas.
“I found out there was going to be a ribbon-cutting about two weeks ago, partially in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, and they wanted to recognize the business along with a couple others,” Cuevas said. “It’s also about shining a light on the legacy and what we’ve all come to love about the Banana Split and it remaining the same.”
The Browns promised to be available as consultants and advisors as the young entrepreneur took over two months ago but Cuevas declared himself about 99% independent now in terms of operating the shop himself.
“I’m pretty independent at this point,” he said. “The Browns are still available for any questions or concerns that may come up. There are some things I haven’t had to order yet because we already had the inventory items there. When there are things I have to order for the first time I’ll contact Lisa (Brown) and she’ll come in and look at my inventory numbers and I’ll get her guidance, especially toward the end of the season when you’re looking at how much do I really need.”
Cuevas said “the love and support has definitely been shown” since he took over Banana Split.
“A lot of folks wanted to see, first and foremost, were there any changes and they are very happy I maintained things similar to what they like,” he said.
Longtime employee Carrie Gregory of Aurora said her new boss has done a good job and that “we’re still the Banana Split.”
“He’s doing well and he’s trying to fit into a big pair of shoes,” Gregory said. “It’s been a good transition. He has family support, he has employee support and customer and community support, so it all makes it work.”
Over 40 people attended the ribbon-cutting on Friday including Cuevas’ old elementary and junior high school football coach Rick Hernandez of Aurora.
“I worked at St. Joseph’s Catholic School and he … was part of an undefeated team in 2009,” Hernandez said. “We never had a team like that before or after. I’m not surprised he’s done this and is here today. He was tenacious as a kid. He’s a good man.”
Cuevas actually wrote a letter years ago to the Browns where he confessed his desire to someday own Banana Split. Now that the dream has come true, Cuevas is enjoying the process of running the shop.
“I knew it was going to be a lot of work and a lot of moving pieces but overall, it’s been a lot of fun,” he said. “It’s been good working with the staff and meeting some new faces and getting some of the recognition from the city and others who have been reaching out. It’s tough but it’s well worth it and I don’t regret my decision at all. I’m happy to continue this as long as I can.”
The shop, Cuevas said, would normally be closed by now but is remaining open until Nov. 1. He plans to open it for the 2025 season on Valentine’s Day.
David Sharos is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
