By Erica Gilliam
I remember falling in love with a New Orleans sno-ball as a little girl. I am a New Orleans girl at heart. Growing up, sno-balls were not simply summertime treats—they were part of our culture. You might stop for one after baseball practice, meet friends at the neighborhood stand on a hot afternoon, or use the promise of something cold and sweet as an excuse to slow down and spend a little more time together. Those neighborhood sno-ball stands weren’t just places to grab a treat. They were where memories were made.
After graduating from St. Mary’s Dominican High School, my connection to North Louisiana began as I enrolled at Louisiana Tech University in Ruston. I came north for college, never imagining how deeply this part of the state would eventually shape my life, especially meeting my husband, Shane.
Hurricane Katrina brought another unexpected change to my life. While I was still a student, my family was forced to leave our Lakeview home and move to North Louisiana, like thousands of other New Orleans families. What had been my college community became a temporary refuge for the people I loved most. North Louisiana opened its churches, businesses, communities and hearts to families whose lives had been turned upside down.
After graduate school, Shane and I returned to New Orleans to begin our life together. Going home felt important after everything our city and our family had endured. Yet North Louisiana had quietly become part of my story. It had welcomed my family during one of the most difficult seasons of our lives, and over time I realized I could imagine building a future there. In 2011, we moved back north—this time by choice. I brought with me a love for New Orleans and a desire to share one of its sweetest traditions with the community I now called home.
I began to wonder whether others might love the experience of an authentic New Orleans sno-ball, even if they had never visited the city. What happened next is something I still can’t explain any other way. In May 2017, I literally dreamed the business. I woke up in the middle of the night with a vivid picture in my mind—a New Orleans streetcar serving authentic sno-balls in North Louisiana. The idea wouldn’t leave me. If I’m being honest, it sounded crazy.
I had no idea where to begin or whether it was even possible. But that dream became the beginning of a deeper walk with God. My prayer was simple: “Lord, if this is truly the story You are writing for my life, open the doors. If it isn’t, close them.” He began opening them almost immediately. Three days after applying for a business grant, I received it. Soon afterward, I purchased my first trailer, transformed it into a New Orleans streetcar, and by Mardi Gras Day 2018, Streetcar Snoballs© was serving its very first customers. Looking back now, I know it wasn’t my plan. It was His.
I never wanted to sell just another snow cone. In fact, my friends still tease me by asking, “How’s the snow cone business?” I always laugh and reply, “I wouldn’t know—I serve Snoballs, not snow cones.” There really is a difference. I wanted to offer finely shaved ice, incredible flavors and the joyful feeling that comes from sharing something special. From the beginning, I also wanted people to recognize us before they ever tasted their first icy bite. That is why our original mobile trailer was designed to resemble one of New Orleans’ iconic streetcars.
Every time we pulled into an event, children pointed, families smiled and people stopped to take pictures before placing an order. Those reactions taught me one of the most important lessons I have learned as a business owner: People do not just remember what you serve. They remember how you make them feel. That philosophy still guides everything we do, and is one of the first things I teach every member of the Streetcar Team.
As Streetcar Snoballs© grew, I began dreaming beyond the trailer. I envisioned a place where families could gather throughout the year—a destination that felt like stepping into New Orleans without leaving Bossier City. When I found an old building in the East Bank District, most people saw a vacant structure that needed tremendous work. I saw possibility.
After months of renovation, Streetcar Station opened in August 2022. From the life-sized streetcar front to the serving counter designed to resemble the real thing, every detail was intentional. I wanted guests to feel transported from the moment they stepped inside. Today, we serve our signature Streetcar Snoballs©, premium ice cream from the New Orleans Ice Cream Company, our popular stuffed snoball and one of my favorite New Orleans traditions—Roman Candy.
As much as I love what we serve, however, what I love most is watching families enjoy it together. That desire inspired our next adventure. In April 2023, we opened The Swamp at Streetcar Station, an indoor Nerf party and play space where children can celebrate birthdays, laugh with friends, burn off energy and, of course, enjoy a Streetcar Snoball© afterward.
Streetcar Station was never meant to be somewhere families simply placed an order and left. I wanted it to be a place where they could stay awhile. Over the years, I have realized that I am not only in the sno-ball business. I am in the memory-making business.
Every birthday celebration, every family stopping by after a baseball game and every grandparent introducing a grandchild to Roman Candy represents the kind of experience I hoped to create. My customers also keep me dreaming bigger. I still love seeing the amazement on a first-time guest’s face when they discover that an authentic New Orleans Sno-ball is not the same thing as an ordinary snow cone. Watching first-time visitors become regular customers reminds me why we continue looking for new ways to grow.
People sometimes ask how I balance running a business with the rest of my life. The honest answer is by the grace of God—and with the help of an incredible staff. Perhaps the greatest surprise of this journey has been how deeply it has strengthened my faith. I’ve always considered myself a spiritual person, but building this business has taught me to trust God in ways I never imagined. I’ve watched Him open doors, close others, place the right people in my life and gently remove those who weren’t meant for the journey.
Every challenge has offered a lesson, and every opportunity has reminded me that this dream has never been mine alone. When I walk through Streetcar Station today, I smile because it truly feels like New Orleans. For just a little while, it brings me home.
Streetcar Snoballs© exists because two places shaped my life. New Orleans gave me the traditions, culture and inspiration. North Louisiana gave my family refuge, gave me a community and ultimately gave this dream room to grow.
Today, as Streetcar Snoballs© continues expanding through franchising, people often ask what’s next. My answer is simple: Keep growing. Keep creating experiences. Keep bringing people together.
More than anything, I hope every family who walks through our doors leaves thinking, “That was the best part of my day.” Twenty years from now, I hope today’s children remember Streetcar Station the same way I remember the neighborhood sno-ball stands of my childhood—with a smile, a story and a little bit of magic.
My story began with a dream and missing home. Today, because so many North Louisiana families have made Streetcar Station part of their own story, I’ve found home all over again.
And honestly… I can’t imagine anything sweeter than that.
P.S. If you are wondering what I order, mix Doberge Cake with Spearmint. It tastes just like an Andes Mint—and it is absolutely delicious.
If you’re interested in booking your next party at Streetcar Station or if you’re just in the mood to cool off, give us a follow or stop by!
@streetcarsnoballs
@streetcarsnoballs
409 Barksdale Blvd
Bossier City, LA 71111
StreetcarStation@gmail.com
www.streetcarsnoballs.com