The summer of 2004 was a simple time. I had just completed my first year of college which also meant it was my first summer away from home. I was running on the euphoric high of just starting my first relationship, and I had just met my best friend, Sarah. It was also the summer that Noemi's Snow Cone Stand first opened in Huntsville, TX. My days that summer were filled with Frisbee, Halo, anime, and snow cones. My biggest challenge that summer consisted of trying to figure out which combination of fruity flavors I would pick for my juice topping—banana and strawberry is a classic combination but watermelon and blackberry is also highly recommended.
It is now seven years later and summer is fast approaching. I am still living in Huntsville, Texas, and while the excitement of that first love began to fizzle during the autumn of that year, Sarah and I are still going strong. I am now worried about paying my student loans, getting enough money together to finish graduate school and my alternative certification program, the economy, and what exactly will happen in 2012. Serious stuff made more serious by the fact that Noemi’s Snow Cone Stand is also facing some major setbacks.
I first noticed that there was a problem about a month ago when I saw that Noemi’s stand had been removed from its location by Zach’s and La Mexicana Supermarket. I forced myself not to panic, because I was driving, and I tried to think of all of the rational explanations for this dreadfully horrible situation. Maybe it had just moved? But to where? And WHY?!
A sign appeared a week later saying that Noemi’s was relocating. I quit panicking. The sign was removed about another week later, but its appearance was still a good sign for the return of Noemi’s.
This week, I saw that Noemi’s was back in business—in the same parking lot but away from the main road and more towards the karate dojo.
I had my first snow cone of the season on Friday—and not a moment too soon because the withdrawals become intense at the beginning of every April. Sarah and I walked there (we are trying to be healthier), and ordered two very delicious watermelon snow cones (the economy is forcing me to only pick one flavor). It was at this moment that I also found out the terrible truth about their relocation and how vile the owner of La Mexicana Supermarket really is!
THE TRUTH ABOUT THE RELOCATION OF NOEMI’S SNOW CONE STAND:
It was the owner of La Mexicana Supermarket that made them relocate! He did not like her stand bringing them business during the summer and he made her move—even though her stand had been a Huntsville staple for the past seven years in THAT location!
He became enraged when he saw her sign (a sign of hope to her loyal customers) that informed people of its relocation, and he threw it away!
All of that would be okay (but not fine)… if he hadn't opened his own competing snow cone stand in the location previously used by Noemi!
Don’t be fooled by the purple snow cone stand and confuse it for an updated version of Noemi's! No… it is a pale imitation of the original! He also stole one of her employees to run this purple phony!
So… remember! Drive the extra fifty feet and pick up your tasty snow cones this summer from Noemi’s snow cone stand and not the one in her old location! I will have more information for you as this story unravels this summer.
