By Elizabeth Clarke, LCU News
PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) – When the Louisiana heat index reaches triple digits, many long for an island oasis — ice-cold drinks and palm trees. Louisiana Christian University student Morgan Tradewell and her family decided to bring a little bit of that dream to Pineville.
Palmettos Shave Ice opened in the summer of 2024, bringing a little bit of Hawaii to CENLA.
Morgan, a senior Smith Scholar majoring in biology, and her family took a trip to Oahu, Hawaii, in 2022, and the idea for Palmettos was born.
“I’ve always loved Icees,” she said. “Someone told us to try shaved ice, and I fell in love. Shave ice started in the Hawaiian sugar cane fields. Sitting in Waikiki, I wished I could bring it back home with me because it’s just so good. I joked about opening our own shop.”
Morgan drew her idea out on a napkin – and her family turned the joke into a reality.
Parents Tony and Darla Tradewell, along with her younger brother Marshall, a student at Pineville High School, all bought into the idea and now all help run Palmettos.
“We wanted a place to sit and enjoy and slow down,” Darla said. “We had no idea of the response of the community. We just pinch ourselves.”
Tony is a landscape architect and designed the space.
“The palmetto is similar to a Hawaiian palm tree, but is a tropical native plant to Louisiana. And it is very hospitable to Louisiana’s climate, Tony said. Hence the name and the beautiful landscaping of the establishment.
Darla runs the business side and handles the graphics, and Marshall is the numbers guy. Morgan handles the marketing and social media side of the business.
“We all have our little parts to play,” Morgan said. “I’m not a coffee shop girl; this is my vibe.”
Palmetto’s just celebrated its first anniversary, and Morgan said it’s been a huge but fun learning experience.
“We’re helping to build community over here,” she said.
Several high school and college students work at the shop, and even more patronize the establishment, hang out with friends, and share part of their lives with each other.
LCU students have come over and played music, and Palmettos hosted the February March for Life. In addition, this summer Palmettos is hosting a flavor surfer competition and a cornhole tournament, which will raise funds for St. Jude’s Children’ Research Hospital.
Palmettos currently offers 64 flavors, including a line of Hawaiian flavors. But there is literally no end to the flavor and ice cream combinations that customers come up with.
“It’s just a place to relax,” Darla said. “Shoes off, lying on the lawn, it gives that illusion you are somewhere else.”
People have just welcomed the Tradewells and Palmettos into their families, Darla said.
People come and are not on their phones, but rather are visiting, talking and praying together, she said.
“People come by on their best and worst days,” Darla said. “And we take the time to visit with them and share Jesus.”
Regular customer Gayle Murrell, who is a librarian at LCU, said grape is her favorite flavor.
“I love Palmettos because it has the perfect shaved ice that melts in your mouth,” she said. “ I’ve known Darla and Tony Tradewell for over 20 years, as we are members of Philadelphia Baptist Church together. When I bring my granddaughters, Ellie and Hannah, to dance on Mondays, we stop at Palmettos.”
Ellie prefers Darla’s special mix of clear tiger’s blood with cream, while Hannah loves wedding cake with cream.
Morgan, who graduates in December, plans to head off to pursue her Occupational Therapy doctorate.
“I feel like I’ve earned a business degree,” she jokes. “I’ve learned so much.”
