Shaved ice shop now open in Bellefonte, its first location in Centre County
March 1 update: Pelican’s SnoBalls is now open in Bellefonte. Its hours are noon-9 p.m. daily, according to its Facebook page.
Bellefonte is in position to get a taste of something new.
Pelican’s SnoBalls, a New Orleans-style shaved ice shop, is preparing to open this spring at 219 S. Water St. The chain serves up more than 100 flavors to cover their “sno-balls,” which are more fine and fluffy than coarse snow cones.
“We’re really about connecting and knowing our customer. It’s kind of laid-back in that aspect,” co-owner Jessica Brown said. “We’re not real fast-paced. We want to get to know you.”
It would be the first Pelican’s in Centre County and fourth in Pennsylvania. The nearest shop is in neighboring Union County.
Both central Pennsylvania shops are operated by Brown and her husband Glen, high school sweethearts who have been married 22 years and raised seven children.
“We’re all about kids and having fun and enjoying life,” Jessica Brown said.
The pair hope to open March 1. Some renovations at the about 1,100-square-foot shop are needed, including painting the exterior of the building blue with pink trim like all Pelican’s locations.
Yard games — including cornhole, Connect 4, hula hoops and a corn pit — are in the works, part of the reason why the Browns wanted to open with Talleyrand Park in their backyard. The business also plans to have picnic tables.
Pelican’s requires franchisees to be open April through October 1. Mobile events and fundraisers give customers a chance to snag a treat when the storefront isn’t open.
About six to 10 people are expected to be hired, Brown said.
The borough, which owns the building, is finalizing a lease with the business, Assistant Borough Manager Don Holderman wrote in an email Wednesday. The lease would be for two seasons with possible options for additional years. The start date is tentatively March 1.
“The borough felt this business was a nice fit with the proximity to Talleyrand Park. In addition, it was an opportunity for the borough to attract a new business to Bellefonte,” Holderman wrote. “They were looking to find a location in Bellefonte, so it worked out well for both parties at this time.”
The former Subway building may not be the long-term home for Pelican’s. Bellefonte Borough Council committed that portion of the park for the construction of a band shell, which would begin no sooner than November 2024.
But that isn’t expected to be the end of Pelican’s in Bellefonte, let alone Centre County. The plan, Brown said, is to remain in Bellefonte and open other locations in Centre County.
“I really like the Bellefonte area. It reminds me a lot of Wellsboro,” the Tioga County native said. “We wanted to be close to State College, but a little ways away. ... We wanted to get our foot in the door to see where a good location would be. We’re open to building, but we just didn’t find the perfect spot. So by us getting our foot in the door and seeing how the town works, then we’ll be able to know where would be a great location for it.”
The business plans to be open noon to 9 p.m. daily.
This story was originally published January 20, 2023 at 2:13 PM.