Owner Virginia Keeley (right) said she was inspired to open Hula Cowgirl after eating shaved ice in Hawaii.[/caption]When Virginia Keeley decided to open her own shaved ice dessert shop, she said she blended two of her favorite states—Hawaii and Texas—and created Hula Cowgirl Shaved Ice with a Hawaiian vibe and Texan decor. The shop’s name is a nod to the two states, she said.
Originally from Sydney, Australia, Keeley said she would often make pit stops in Hawaii while traveling between her native country and Georgetown. During those layovers she said she became accustomed to the traditional Hawaiian treat that mixes finely shaved ice with flavored syrups and other ingredients.
After living in Georgetown for 10 years, Keeley said she was looking for a way to become more involved in the community and bring her favorite Hawaiian treat to town.
“I wanted a good snack and to be doing something in the community at the same time,” she said. “After I had been to Hawaii, I thought, ‘There’s nothing exactly like this here [in Georgetown].’”
She opened Hula Cowgirl in the Two Rivers Retail Center in August.
Along with offering traditional shaved ice with flavored syrups, Keeley also offers traditional Hawaiian-style shaved ice combinations such as honeydew melon, which includes strawberries, vanilla ice cream and sweet cream, as well as a topping of plum Hawaiian powder to the melon-flavored icy treat.
Some of her own specialty treats include a root beer float made with root beer-flavored shaved ice served with sweet cream topping and a scoop of vanilla ice cream at the bottom.
Amanda Haley, a manager at the store, said many customers come into Hula Cowgirl expecting snow cones, but the machines shave the ice so fine it becomes a completely different consistency.
“With shaved ice it’s like a snowball with great flavor,” she said.
Customers can select from Keeley’s creations or create their own mix of flavors and toppings from the menu, which includes more than 80 flavors and toppings ranging from chile powder and lime salt to sprinkles and gummy bears. For those not interested in shaved ice, Keeley also offers four rotating flavors of ice cream. Sugar-free shaved ice flavors are also available.
Keeley said one of the shop’s most popular items is the Cuatro Leche, an all-cream syrup shaved ice sprinkled with cinnamon sugar and strawberries. She said customers also enjoy the natural flavors, which include lemon, lime, mango and strawberry, made from sugar, water and fruit with no artificial ingredients.
“When we have those we just can’t keep them in stock; they’re very popular,” she said.
Keeley said she expects her first full summer season to be the busiest time for her business, which is open year-round. In the fall as children go back to school, she said her hours will be adjusted. She could add items to the menu for the winter months, she said.
