A shaved ice shop called Pelican’s Snoballs has popped up on Clovis Avenue in the site of the former Crazy Horse Hand Car Wash station.
Known for its 100-plus flavors of “original New Orleans shaved ice,” Pelican’s Snoballs is a national chain with 143 locations spread throughout the East Coast and the South. The Clovis shop is the only location west of Fort Worth, Texas.
“It’s kind of like we’re the lone ranger out here,” said manager Craig Wohlgemuth.
The 959 Clovis Ave. site was abandoned and run down before Pelican’s took over, but that didn’t stop Wohlgemuth from moving forward with his vision.
“I’ve driven by this location for years and loved it,” he said. “It was totally dilapidated for a long time and it just wasn’t doing anything. I felt with all this space, it just seemed like the perfect spot.”
Although Wohlgemuth originally wanted to open around rodeo time, he is happy with how business is coming along in the first few weeks following the mid-June grand opening.
“It’s slowly cranking up as people find out about us,” he said. “It’s been somewhat steady but I think everyone is really enjoying it, so word will spread. I’m confident that people will just keep coming back.”
Pelican’s Snoballs is open Monday-Saturday from noon to 9 p.m., and 1-9 p.m. on Sunday.