Story by Avery Kuhn, staff writer
In 2012, sisters Summer and Skylar Stewart opened Granny’s Shave Ice in downtown Belton, TX., just a mile away from the UMHB campus. The sisters opened the shop at ages 10 and 16 respectively as a memorial to their great-grandmother, who would serve the girls snow cones with a smile. 11 years later, the Stewarts are still creating cold desserts for Belton locals. They also cater weddings, birthdays, and backyard parties as far away as Austin.
On most summer afternoons, the siblings fill plastic cones with shaved ice doused in fruity syrup. Their signature “snow milk” and a handful of peach o’s or coconut flakes complete the stereotypical Granny’s unique snow cone experience.
They offer 24 syrups, ranging from the classic tiger’s blood to unusual flavors such as pickle juice or horchata, with sugar-free options available. You can build your own cone from these flavors and a variety of toppings, including gummy sharks or a chocolate drizzle. Or, if you’re not sure what to get, the “Our Fav’s” board suggests combos like Buzz Lightyear, Just Peachy, and the Cru Cone—kings cake and ice cream flavorings topped with whipped cream and snow milk.
Freshman arriving at UMHB in the fall receive a mountain of coupons to various Belton establishments to help familiarize them with the area, and a $2 discount at Granny’s is among them. You can also find Granny’s Shaved Ice on Facebook and Instagram, where they post summer hours, event announcements, and photos of their sweet treats, if you’re curious what else this little pink truck has to offer.
