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Angelic shaved ice served up at Heaven Snows new location
In business
Heaven Snow owner Violet Saveh-Irasava and employee Sabrina Polous hold up one of their signature treats, Carmel Sour Apple Drizzle, at their new location on N. Golden State Boulevard and Hawkeye Avenue Tuesday afternoon. - photo by CANDY PADILLA/The Journal

Name of business: Heaven Snow

 

Type of business: Shaved ice stand

 

Location: 811 Hawkeye Ave. (Hawkeye Neighborhood Center)

 

Hours: Sunday-Monday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. during the summer; Monday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday-Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. once school starts back up

 

Contact information: 209-872-8881

 

Specialty: Unique shaved ice flavors

 

History of business:

Since Turlocker Violet Irasava and her husband, Hector, expanded their business endeavor Heaven Snow into town from Ceres five years ago, the provider of refreshing, flavorful shaved ice has become a family favorite around town. The pink and white stand has served as a gathering place where the community can go to beat the heat, and now calls the Hawkeye Neighborhood Center home.

“We used to not open on time because we had to keep switching locations,” said Irasava, who added that at their previous location on Geer Road, the stand often attracted too many cars for the parking lot to accommodate. “We’ve had to move around, but we hope we can stay in the same spot this year. Our landlord is a great person to deal with and very understanding.”

The stand’s current spot is on a cool, grassy patch next to PrimeLending, which is located in the same shopping center as restaurant Los Gallos and gym Fitness Addiction.

“PrimeLending are the ones that made things happen. We’re really appreciative that they wanted us out there, and all the other businesses have been pretty proactive and really welcoming,” said Irasava. “This location has been great as far as kids being able to run around and people hanging out in the lawn area. It really brightens up the corner and gives people a place to just hang out and have a good time.”

While Heaven Snow’s location may have changed, they still serve the same shaved ice that made them Turlock-famous in the first place, along with new menu items like the Mexican Explosion shaved ice, which features mango and Tajin, and the Cucumber Melon shaved ice. The business’ classic options, like their homemade cream and sour apple caramel drizzle, are also still available.

“Every year I try to come up with something new,” said Irasava. “I like playing around with colors and flavors, creating not just your ordinary shaved ice, but a premium shaved ice with a bit more art.”

Though Heaven Snow is still a small business itself, Irasava takes pride in helping out other entrepreneurs like herself, encouraging customers to check out other businesses in the shopping center.

“A lot of customers didn’t know there was a hair salon or insurance or a workout place, and they’re just starting to discover all of that,” said Irasava. “We count all of our blessings, we have an amazing team and we give back to the community however we can, even though we’re one of the smallest businesses around.”