Imperial Woodpecker Sno-Balls

A sno-ball is a soft concoction of shaved ice that has been superseding snow cones since the 1930's in New Orleans. What makes a sno-ball different is that the ice is not crunchy or hard; instead it is soft and fluffy. The combination of the long-time perfected syrups and the velvet snow makes the perfect treat.

Standing in line for sno-balls in the summer has become a tradition that Neesa Peterson was introduced to as a child while growing up in New Orleans; She spent her prime sno-ball eating years in New Orleans before moving to Mobile, Al. After finishing college at Ole Miss, she left the South and its Sno-Balls for the Big Apple and a career in fashion. Before long, Neesa realized her attributes would be better exercised in an environment where she could combine, good food, good music, and good people. As storied as New York's culinary offerings are, she realized New Yorker's were missing out. She wanted to share the same summertime experience that she was so fortunate to have in New Orleans. Sno-Balls meant the same to her now as they did then: refreshing and delicious! After 4 years of living in New York City, she decided to bring New Orleans Sno-Balls to the East Coast and started Imperial Woodpecker Sno-Balls in June 2011. After 3 years of selling them in the West Village of Manhattan, in 2013 Neesa decided to move home to be closer to her family and carry on the sno-ball tradition in New Orleans.