Something Old, Something New at Queen of the Ball
October 18, 2006
When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Or, if you’re New Orleans native Norma Bridges, you’ll go one step further and make lemonade sno-balls, and wedding cake sno-balls and Granny Smith sno-balls to boot.
When hurricane-related wind damage resulted in the collapse of the roof on Bridges’ 5-year-old consignment shop, Shabby Chic, on Oak Street, she took stock both figuratively and literally.
Bridges decided there was too little inventory to salvage. It was time to move in a new direction and that direction was a sno-ball parlor. Bridges started reading up on the ins and outs of the sno-ball business, learned to mix her own syrups, bought the necessary equipment and leased a space across the street and slightly closer to the S. Carrollton intersection. Then she got husband James and other family and friends busy helping her realize her vision with the renovation.
“I wanted to capture the feel of a retro ice cream-type parlor, with the old-fashioned touches like chandeliers, ceiling fans, the black and white tile floor. But I also wanted it to have a modern twist.” The hot-pink-with-black-stripes-and-polka-dots color scheme definitely adds that touch of bold modernity without sacrificing the quaint jewel-box feel of the tiny establishment. “People squeal, ‘Oh, how cuuuute!’” when they walk in for the first time,” says Bridges.Decor isn’t the only traditional-meets-innovative element attracting customers to Queen of the Ball. “We’re really getting well-known for our fruit-stuffed sno-balls,” says Bridges. Her favorite? Lemonade stuffed with fresh raspberries. Banana sno-balls stuffed with sliced strawberries are also very popular, she says.
And as the weather cools, Bridges plans to transition into providing box lunches and hot drinks, specializing in hot chocolates with special whipped cream toppings flavored with blended fresh fruits.
Aside from her own diligent work, Bridges credits two individuals with helping her achieve quick success: husband James who has “been so supportive in this as well as previous endeavors,” and good friend and professional organizer Tami Hill of Clutterbusters who “helped so much with getting me and my business organized.”
Since opening August 1, she’s already got her regulars that she can count on seeing every day. “There’s this group of about 20 college students who come in as often as 4 times a day ordering fruit-stuffed sno-balls! I ask them, ‘Do you ever eat anything else? You can’t live on sno-balls! What would your mothers say?”
Bridges understands that part of what makes her place special is her warm, hands-on approach to running the business and interacting with the customers. “I have no desire to develop this business and leave. As much as possible I am physically here during business hours because the customers like for me to be here. And I like being here, talking to people.”
Queen of the Ball is located at 8116 Oak St. Phone: 430-5718. Hours Mon-Sat. 11 am – 9-ish in the evening. Sundays 1 pm – 9-ish. Gift certificates available. Space available for birthday parties, bridal showers, anniversary parties, and other small gatherings.
