Lara Stepneski-Mintz, Owner
Denver native, Lara Stepneski-Minz is the owner of Sweet NOLA Snoballs, a frozen sweets shop serving shaved ice in the Mayfair neighborhood. Stepneski-Mintz is familiar with scooping frozen treats, as her first job growing up was at local favorite, Bonnie Brae Ice Cream. She began her professional career in public relations and wedding coordination and has always loved a little lagniappe as a way to put a smile on one’s face. Lagniappe is French for “a little extra.” It is a term used widely across New Orleans where Stepneski-Mintz spent her college/graduate school years at Tulane University and her early career the decade following.
After returning to her roots in Denver, Stepneski-Mintz wanted to bring a taste of the vibrant southern city to Colorado. She researched several sweet treats that are native to the Big Easy and after working in a friend’s snoball shop in New Orleans, she realized the snoball was the perfect addition.
The newly-opened Sweet NOLA Snoballs offers this New Orleans favorite that dates back to the 1930’s. A snoball (pronounced “snowball”) features ice shaved into a fine, fluffy snow that melts on the tongue, resulting in a much smoother texture and enhanced flavor than the more common snow cone. Traditional flavors like strawberry, cotton candy, or tiger’s blood are added to the snoball, which can then be ordered “stuffed” with ice cream or topped with condensed milk. Stepneski-Mintz is excited to bring this one-of-a-kind frozen treat to the Denver area.
It’s a "#Snoballsummer, as New Orleans-Style Sweet Nola Snoballs Drops into Denver
A cherished New Orleans frozen treat will now be available in the Mile High City when Sweet NOLA Snoballs opens at 916 Jersey St. in the Jersey Street Shopettes in Mayfair. A “snoball” (spelled without a “w”) is a favorite in The Big Easy featuring ice shaved into a fine, fluffy snow that melts on the tongue, creating a much smoother texture and enhanced flavor profile than the chunkier chipped ice in a snowcone.
“After spending 17 years in New Orleans, I knew I wanted to bring some of the rich culture and flavor of the city back with me to Denver,” said Lara Stepneski-Mintz, owner. “Sweet NOLA Snoballs is a taste of New Orleans with a Mile High twist. There is nothing like this in Denver, and I look forward to introducing this fun, frozen treat to Coloradans.”
Stepneski-Mintz grew up in Denver, and her first job was scooping ice cream at local-favorite Bonnie Brae Ice Cream. She moved to New Orleans for college and spent nearly two decades there soaking up the city’s unique Creole culture. Sweet NOLA will be a family affair, with Stepneski-Mintz’ husband, kids and parents joining her to serve snoballs in the Mayfair neighborhood.
The snoball dates back to the 1930’s when the Sno-Wizard, a specialty machine used to create this delightful treat, was invented. The fine, snow-like texture of the ice allows the snoball to more evenly soak up the flavored syrups that are added, so that every bite has the perfect balance of flavor. While traditional snoball flavors including strawberry, watermelon and tiger’s blood will be featured prominently on the menu, Stepneski-Mintz also plans to incorporate homemade syrups, utilizing organic fruits and vegetables. In addition, snoballs are often ordered “stuffed” with a scoop of ice cream in the middle or with sweetened condensed milk as a topping. The shop will also offer special seasonal and holiday-themed flavors.
Upon stepping into Sweet NOLA Snoballs, customers will see bright splashes of pink and turquoise. The shop will include both a walk-up counter inside and a traditional walk-up window outside. Seating is available on the patio, with cute tables and rocking chairs transporting customers to charming porches in the South.