Custard by C-Sue, Charlee Sue Jadwin

At 20 years of age, she has purchased a home, is working towards a teaching career, owns a marketing business, and has expanded her custard business to a multi-trailer operation in just over a year.

“Salem has been so welcoming,” she shared.

She purchased the custard truck in June 2020 from Hannah Kelly and her family. Kelly is the Representative for District 141, making her home in Mountain Grove. After the purchase, custard was served in Salem starting July 1, 2020. The Kelly family continued to make the custard while Custard by C-Sue managed the trailer at events across the state.

“The whole thing is kind of crazy. They (the Kelly family) tried to sell the trailer when I was still in high school. My mind got to spinning about it, but I knew I couldn’t do it then,” she shared.

“A few years later, it was pouring down rain, and I was headed to a cow sale and called Hannah. Five days later I traded in my sports car for an F-150 and started pulling the trailer,” Jadwin said with a laugh.

Custard is now made outside Jadwin’s home in Salem in the “machine house.”

“Everything I have has a name,” she laughed.

The machine house was bought at an auction in May 2021, and built by the Houston High School Building Trades class. Jadwin’s original intent was a roadside stand, but turned it into a machine house instead.

Following a seasonal schedule, Jadwin employees several people for busy nights and festivals and events. Her busiest time is May through August or September. On the day of our interview she was headed to an elementary school in Rolla for a staff appreciation event.

Her Papa Clifford was a county-known fish fryer and she acquired his fish-frying truck and named her “Hattie the Half Pint.” Hattie was Clifford’s mother. Hattie makes the trip to smaller events with pre-packaged custard items.

Custards, concretes, shakes, floats, and sundaes are the main items on the menu – but other specialties come up from time to time. Custard cake was a recent favorite that sold out in a couple of hours.

“All of the menu items are related to my life, or after family members. I use fresh and local ingredients when possible,” said Jadwin.

Jadwin plans to run the trailer until Oct. 31, and pop-ups as weather permits.

Even though the trailer may not be visible, Jadwin is working behind the scenes. She hopes to assist at schools with the offer of high school groups managing a mini cart, dubbed “Mini Pearl,” at school games or events. She welcomes booking for weddings, birthday parties, tournaments and more.

When she is not preparing custard or selling it, she participates in agriculture marketing for various horse and cow sales, and has a small boutique space at Gateway Hometown Memories in Salem. Other future plans include the possibility of getting into grocery stores or smaller outlets in the area.

“I share a lot of what I am doing via social media. If I can help in any way some of the girls younger than me, as an older-sister-type or role model, it is worth it,” said Jadwin.

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