In high school, Zeda McCurdy was the girl to know.
In 2014, her mom, Courtney, opened Sno-Ballz, a popular Hawaiian shaved ice spot in Ozark. Zeda’s friends and boyfriend would work there in the summer.
“It was a lot of fun,” she said, seated on a red bench in the parking lot where the business is housed.
Zeda is now Zeda Anderson and that high school boyfriend who worked alongside her handing colorful shaved ice out of the window is her husband.
Zeda, 24, and Caleb Anderson, 26, bought the business in 2020. He handles the maintenance, she’s in charge of events and they employ 10-15 high school kids every summer.
Mentoring young workers has always been the spirit of the business.
Courtney McCurdy started it for her kids to work in the summer and save money for cars or college. In front of the window, there’s still a spot for tips that reads “College Fund.”
“I was a single parent and had a parking lot where my insurance agency was and thought it would be a great business for them,” said Courtney McCurdy, who started the venture. “I have been able to mentor so many kiddos through Sno-Ballz in entrepreneurship, owning your own business and general work ethic.”
Sno-Ballz hosting 10th-season celebration this summer
This marks the 10th season of Sno-Ballz and, in honor of the anniversary, they have launched a tasting passport. Pick up a passport, sample 20 of the featured flavors this summer and turn in the completed passport for a $10 gift card and a t-shirt.
“It has served the McCurdy family well. I never imagined we would be as successful as we have been,” Courtney said.
Sno-Ballz opened when Zeda was 15, her brother Jack was 13 and they worked together.
“It was a learning experience for sure. I learned a lot about customer service,” Anderson said.
The Hawaiian ice business is housed in a small teal building with a slanted roof decorated, with red and white striped awnings which harken back to the 1950s. So do many of the names of the sweet treats: Brown Eyed Girl, I Love Lucy, Sock Hop, Poodle Skirt and more. McCurdy designed it to be ’50s-themed.
The menu has expanded over the years. Now, there are 55 flavors plus 10 sugar-free options, which are increasingly popular.
The differences between a snow cone and Hawaiian shaved ice are the texture of the ice and the quality of the syrup.
Hawaiian shaved ice vs. snow cones
A snow cone is often crunchy, crushed ice topped with a preservative-filled pre-made syrup. The Hawaiian shaved ice is the consistency of snow and is topped with handmade syrups, Anderson said.
She makes the syrups from scratch each day with 100% cane sugar, no high fructose corn syrup. The flavorings come from a family-owned stand in Hawaii, which has been their supplier since day one. They called about 30 places before they found a business they were happy with, that could provide the tropical flavors they were looking for.
The shaved ice is a dairy-free, gluten-free and nut-free dessert option.
The most popular snowball flavor is Strawberry Shortcake, which is shaved ice with wedding cake and strawberry syrups, topped with sno-cap, a sweet milk topping that adds a rich creaminess.
Made in the Shade — pina colada and strawberry daiquiri, topped with coconut cream — is another fan favorite.
Soft serve added to the menu two years ago
Sno-Ballz also serves Hiland Dairy soft serve (not dairy free). Anderson added the soft serve two years ago because she noticed a family would come in and someone always wanted ice cream. You can stuff any shaved ice concoction with soft serve, or order it on its own.
The soft serve, called Flavor Burst, is colorful and unique. It starts with a base of vanilla soft serve, but then the machine can add up to three flavors around the edge of the ice cream. You may end up with vanilla soft serve with a cobalt blue or bright pink outline.
The most popular combination is the Rainbow: strawberry, banana and blue coconut swirled around the vanilla. Strawberry Cheesecake is the next best seller.
Ozark community has made Sno-Ballz successful
Families are their customer base and Sno-Ballz offers games in the parking lot like cornhole, hula-hoops and large-sized connect four.
“We have a great support system with lots of regulars,” Anderson said. “When COVID hit, we were open because we were a walkup business and the community showed us so much love and support. It meant so much.”
The Ozark community is what has made Sno-Ballz successful, McCurdy echoed.
They are open from April to October in the parking lot of a shopping center. They also own two mobile units, a food truck and a trailer for catered events, such as employee appreciation days.
“I love working employee appreciation days because everyone is so happy and chipper,” Anderson said.
Sno-Ballz also hosts various events, such as Dog Days in summer. Sno-Ballz workers put up tents and kiddie pools, and customers can bring out their canines. In fall, they pack the parking lot with 10,000 pumpkins and sell pumpkins from nearby farms. During that time, they release seasonal fall flavors.
McCurdy's kids, son-in-law have nurtured and grown the dream
While many businesses complain about labor shortages and unreliable workers, Anderson said she has no problem finding student employees each summer. Most of the time it’s referrals from employees.
McCurdy said she is so proud of her kids and son-in-law for nurturing this dream and making it bigger and better.
Anderson said it was the natural next step in her life.
“It’s what I’ve always done, and I love it,” Anderson said.
Find it: 1751 James River Road, Ozark. Open daily from noon-9 p.m. Visit Snow-Ballz online, or find them on Facebook and Instagram.
