There's something about the nostalgia flavors that makes adults continue to enjoy this childhood treat.
At O.P Schnabel Park, Genevieve Orozco happily waited for her turn to step up to the Chamoy City Limits window and revisit a favorite from when she was a kid. Recently, raspas have grown up a little, and the business model is benefitting from social media.
“I grew up where the raspa man would ride his bicycle around the neighborhood. Raspas have always been basic and good, but these are another level,” Orozco said. “One of our friends put a picture of a mangonada up on Facebook and I had to try it.”
The popular mangonada had sold out on an earlier visit. This time, Orozco arrived early, intent on snagging a sweet-and-sour treat.
Boasting 3,700 Facebook fans after only four months in business, Fernandez and her team use social media as a platform to connect with customers.
“I enjoy the whole process from designing to being in the truck to interacting with our fans,” Fernandez said.
With Facebook carrying the tradition of shaved ice into the 21st century, entrepreneurs such as Ernest Troy Morales, owner of Snowcone Addiction, 405 Gladstone, Bldg. 1, are able to reach new customers.
“I have a business page on Facebook. That is how I got all of my business,” he said. “It all started with people taking pictures of my product, sharing it and their friends asking where it was from.”
Morales' most popular, Gorilla Drank has inspired curiosity and fans in a way only the Internet could.
“It is a mixture of Kool-Aid that I used to drink when I was little,” Morales said. “People started sharing photos and now, it's gotten so popular we made T-shirts for it. They call me Mr. Drank.”
Morales delivered ice for Pure Party Ice for 18 years before deciding to go into business for himself. He still buys his ice from his former employer, citing the care it puts into the product.
“It takes them 24 hours to make each block,” of ice, Morales said. “If you don't have soft ice, you won't have repeat customers.”
Owners take pride in their product and are always looking to improve the customer's experience. That's what keeps people coming back.
“We focus on two things: customer service and quality,” Rodriguez said at Frozen Friday's. “It is never about how much money we could make.”
ejividen@express-news.net