Tasty New Business Opening in Cedar Rapids Later This Week [PHOTOS]

A new Cedar Rapids business that opens later this week will be the first time the company has been in Iowa, and two Cedar Rapids women are thrilled to bring it to the city.

Get our free mobile app

Amanda Zahn and her sister Jonielle Spillers occasionally vacation in Fort Myers, Florida, and after finding themselves going back to the same place time and again, they decided to investigate a franchise. Their application was approved and work is now complete on their Cedar Rapids storefront. It will be the first location in the entire state of Iowa when it opens later this week.

Spillers, a hair salon owner, and her sister Zahn, are opening Pelican's SnoBalls in Cedar Rapids. Pelican's SnoBalls offers more than 100 flavors of what Zahn described to me "as a cross between a snocone and cotton candy because it melts in your mouth." She says that she and Spillers are "really excited to bring something new to the community."

The Pelican's Facebook page describes their SnoBalls this way: "The texture is what makes Pelican’s SnoBalls stand out from any other regular snocone you’ll find - so much so that we made a new name for it! It really feels like snow - it melts in your mouth and holds the flavor all the way through!"

In addition to the 100-plus flavors on the menu, there are also nine Signature SnoBall options. Zahn says Stuffed SnoBalls are available, that are filled with vanilla soft serve ice cream. Here's a sneak peek at the Cedar Rapids menu:

Zahn says there will be two serving windows, reminiscent of the 1st Avenue DQ, with outside seating only. In addition to the location on 6th Street, they'll be able to take their products to indoor events like sporting events, birthday parties, etc., and could eventually add a mobile truck.

Pelican's SnoBalls is opening at 2702 6th Street SW in Cedar Rapids, formerly 319 Motors. The grand opening is this Saturday, June 3, from noon to 9 pm. The sign is already up!

Founded by a 13-year-old in 2001, Pelican's SnoBalls was named after the state bird of Louisiana. Today, there are 215 locations across 19 states. Up to now, the closest one to Iowa was in Ohio. That will change this weekend and eastern Iowans will no doubt be ready to try out these flavors, and so many others.

*Yes, pup cups are available.