Bike path users happy about new Snack Shack in Winchendon - here's what's offered

Hikers and bikers are enjoying a new stop on the North Central Pathway in Winchendon.

Katie’s Snack Shack has enjoyed great success selling juice, lemonade and munchies to hungry and thirsty travelers since opening about a week ago in Grout Park.

Owner and operator Katherine Gwinn, 22, said she got the idea to open her own small business after spending several years working at Lickety Splitz and organizing the refreshments at various events at Bethany Bible Chapel , according to her mother, Deane Gwinn.

“She worked at Lickety Splitz for seven years and when it changed hands, she decided to try something different,” said Deane. “I asked what she wanted to do, and she thought about healthy snacks and drinks.”

Katherine views her new business as an opportunity to meet new people and talk about her faith, which her mother said is especially important to her daughter.

“It’s not about making money, she just wants a good job and a place to tell people about Jesus – also, she loves people,” Deane said. “She loves Winchendon, she’s a huge part of the community and her church, and some people in town call her the ‘Mayor.’”

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On the menu at Katie’s Snack Shack, which accepts cash and Venmo payments, are water, Gatorade, fruit bars, chocolate-covered berries, pistachios, crackers, jerky, and chocolate bars. Deane said she and her daughter are thinking of adding cider to the menu during the cooler months.

The shack’s logo, which depicts a bicycle-riding bear holding a balloon, was designed by Katherine’s father, Matt Gwinn.

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Free treats and water for dogs are also available at the stand.

Business was brisk on Friday, with at least two customers stopping by within a few minutes of each other.

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Amy Boscho of Winchendon said the snack shack is a wonderful addition to the bike path.

“A lot of us who live right here in town, we are frequent flyers on this path, and there’s quite a bit of shade but there’s also quite a bit of sun,” she said. “It’s just so great to have a little cool-down spot because there have been trips that we’ve had to cut a little short because we’ve needed a break, but now we don’t have to. We can just make a quick pit-stop and see Katie and family here, and we’re just excited to come back.”

Bicyclist Ken Leduc of Winchendon said Katie could not have picked a better location for her new business.

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“This is perfect,” he said. “I ride by here all the time.”

Town Manager Bill McKinney said that the town was excited to have Katie's Snack Shack up and running at Grout Park.

"People may not be familiar with the name of the park, but they are all familiar with the big bicycle structure on it," he said. "It's a great location that everyone drives by on Rt. 12 on their way to downtown or visiting loved ones at the cemeteries. If they're not driving by it, they are walking or biking by it on the rail trail walkway. When they get thirsty or hungry, they now have a place to stop to get something to eat or drink."

"Katie has something for everyone," he added.

Katie’s Snack Shack will be open weekdays through October from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., weather permitting.

This article originally appeared on Gardner News: Bike path users happy about new Snack Shack in Winchendon - here's what's offered