07/03/2026
Overflow Parking Across the Street at Rite Aid!
As we celebrate 10 amazing years with the Pelican's Snoballs USA Franchise, my heart is filled with gratitude.
Like any business, we've had our share of challenges, setbacks, and long days. But through faith, determination, and an incredible support system, we're still here—and that's something worth celebrating!
It all started because of my daughter. She had visited a Pelican's location before and kept telling me I needed to try it. Honestly, I wasn't interested because I assumed it was the same hard, crunchy shaved ice everyone else sold.
One day she convinced me to ride with her to the Pelican's in Suffolk, Virginia. As I stood there staring at that LONG menu, I finally said, "Girl, just get me the smallest Banana."
OMG! The very first bite changed everything. My eyes lit up! Before I even made it home, I emailed the company. To my surprise, the founder personally responded, and we talked on the phone that very same day for about an hour.
He explained that it would probably take about a year to find the right location and get everything up and running.
Well... God had other plans.
About three weeks later, God woke me up around 3:00 a.m. I started browsing Craigslist and came across an ice cream machine for sale. I clicked on the listing and realized it wasn't just a machine—it was an entire business that was available.
I immediately contacted the owner, and my mom and I went to see what is now our current location in Yorktown. The building was in terrible condition. My mom looked around and immediately said, "We can find another location because this building is nasty!"
Anyone who knows me knows I love to clean, so I laughed and told her, "Go sit in the car—we have to look at the bigger picture!"
After submitting the location for approval, we met with our Pelican's area representatives, Dave and Diane, at Smoke in Newport News. I told my mom it would cost around $76,000 to get everything up and running. She looked at me and asked, "Where are you going to get that kind of money?"
I smiled and said, "I already have it saved."
She looked at me like I had lost my mind!
Years earlier, while working as a deputy at the Chesapeake Jail, a senior officer gave me advice that I've never forgotten:
"Stay ready, so when an opportunity presents itself, you're ready—and it won't pass you by."
I stayed ready... and when the opportunity came, I was READY READY!
The rest is history.
We opened our Yorktown location in 2016 and opened our second location in Chesapeake in 2017. Although we had to close the Chesapeake store six years later after the building was sold, our Yorktown location is still standing strong 10 years later.
First and foremost, I thank God for blessing this journey every step of the way.
To my mom—thank you for standing beside me every single day when we first opened. Chick... YOU ROCK! I couldn't have done this without you.
To my children—you have supported every crazy vision I've ever had. From the daycare, to turning our home into the neighborhood safe space, to being the neighborhood candy lady, to opening our hearts to foster children, you've always been there cheering me on. Thank you for believing in me.
Antonio... where would I be without your financial knowledge, business advice, and operational support? It is truly a blessing to have a friend who understands operations management the way you do. Thank you for always being willing to help. You absolutely ROCK!
A huge thank you to Dave and Diane for walking my mom and me through this journey. Your guidance and encouragement meant more than you'll ever know.
And to Adrian, the CEO's daughter—thank you for having a vision and helping make it a reality. Today, with more than 200 locations, Pelican's Snoballs continues to grow and thrive, and we're honored to be part of that incredible story.
To every customer, employee, friend, family member, and supporter who has walked through our doors over the last 10 years—THANK YOU. Because of you, we've been blessed to serve our community, create memories, and build something that has become so much more than a snoball stand.
Here's to 10 incredible years... and many more to come!
With love and gratitude,
Lisa Renae Anderson
Pelican's Snoballs of Yorktown
