'It's like magic': Pelican’s SnoBalls brings cool treats to Brant Rock

MARSHFIELD – The South Shore is getting a taste of something new with Pelican’s SnoBalls.

Jean Francois "Gino" Jean Louis, who had been an emergency medical technician for about 18 years, got his first taste of the shaved ice last year while visiting family in North Carolina.

"I thought to myself, I'm going to bring this experience to Marshfield," Jean Louis said.

It took a while to open the first Pelican’s SnoBalls in New England. Jean Louis had to train in the corporate office and run two stores in North Carolina before becoming a franchisee.

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"They were systematic," Jean Louis said. "The process was as smooth as it could be. They had the confidence, and I had the faith."

The Marshfield location opened on Aug. 1. Jean Louis had purchased an old, vacant building that needed renovations on Dyke Road in Marshfield.

Pelican’s SnoBalls was founded in Garner, North Carolina, by 13-year-old Ansley Johnson in 2001. She was  introduced to SnoBalls during frequent visits to her grandparents' home in Louisiana. Johnson named the business Pelican’s after the state bird of Louisiana, and the franchise has expanded to more than 300 locations.

Pelican’s offers more than 100 flavors of shaved ice and toppings. Some signature flavors include Gone Fishin, Super Hero, Frogger, Unicorn and Shark Attack. Jean Louis said he is developing five  flavors that will be exclusive to his shop.

Jean Louis runs the store with his wife, Michelle, and son, Leon, who is in the seventh grade. He has about 10 employees.

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“It’s our staff, it’s us as a family,” said Jean Louis, who grew up in Boston and is of Haitian heritage.

He said he feels lucky to be a part of the Marshfield community.

"I was able to obtain what I consider the American dream," Jean Louis said.

Creating a family vibe is important for Jean Louis, who said he wants his customers to walk away with a great experience.

Diana Perry, a doctor with South Shore Health, has been frequenting Pelican’s since it opened  and already has her favorite flavor, which is Clear Bubblegum.

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Perry recently moved to Marshfield and said Pelican’s reminds her of her childhood.

"It's like magic," Perry said.

Darcy Beston, of Marshfield, spoke about what Pelican’s brings to the beach town while her son enjoyed a Frogger flavored SnoBall.

“It’s amazing. The kids in town love it,” Beston said. “It’s something different from ice cream."

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Pelican's SnoBalls shaved ice opens in Marshfield on the South Shore