Kaleido Sno - Shaved Ice and Smoothies

Kaleido-Sno, located at 414 Broad Street, has been teasing taste buds for more than 19 years, offering more than 100 Sno-ball flavors with everything from delectable Dreamsicle to tangy Tiger’s Blood.

Sno-balls are available in five different sizes and customers can mix up to three flavors in one cup. Toppings, such as cream, whipped cream, caramel and chocolate are also available.

Among the basic flavors such as cherry, grape, and blueberry are eccentric flavors such as Cajun Red Hot, Wedding Cake, Dulce de Leche and Ninja Turtle.

For diabetic or dieting customers, Kaleido-Sno has nine sugar-free flavors including Sour Apple, Georgia Peach and Pina Colada.

Owners John and Barbara Ware moved to Rome from San Francisco after John, a Rome native, retired from the military. They opened Kaleido-Sno in 1992 with the ambition to provide Rome with an atmosphere where families could enjoy a good Sno-ball and where their employees could develop excellent work ethic skills.

“We wanted some place where our kids could have good summer jobs,” said Barbara Ware. “What we’ve done is specialize in giving kids good first jobs and others a second chance.”

After a visit to Kaleido-Sno, the Wares said they hope customers find the service as top notch as the icy treats they will no doubt enjoy.

“Our business is more of a ministry in that way,” said John Ware. “We try and teach (our employees) good work-ethic skills like honesty and loyalty.”

Kaleido-Sno is one of the oldest and longest-running black-owned businesses in Rome and appeals to all ages.

“Everybody loves Sno-balls,” said John Ware. “We have customers ranging from eight years old to 80 years old.”

The Sno-ball business originated in New Orleans, said Barbara Ware, and Kaleido-Sno’s interior creates the feel of a New Orleans’s scene. Red brick walls are adorned with authentic New Orleans artwork and flashy gold, purple and green decorations recreate a sense of Mardi Gras celebrations. Near the door, a wooden piano stands waiting to be played by customers.

“Our customers are welcome to play our piano and we have board games and books, too,” said Barbara Ware.

Delicious sno-balls are not all Kaleido-Sno has to offer. Customers may have a frosty treat to cool themselves down on a hot summer’s day or they may enjoy a hot burger in varieties of beef and turkey. For those chilly days of winter, the store serves steaming coffee and spicy Cajun food to include jambalaya and chicken and dumplings.

“We’ve worked to create a family atmosphere,” said John Ware. “Our business is strictly oriented towards family.”

With all flavors and equipment shipped in from New Orleans, customers will truly feel as though they have entered a genuine New Orlean’s Sno-ball shop. However, the Wares know that Rome is not the party city that is New Orleans.

“We’ve done Vacation Bible School and school fundraisers,” Barbara Ware said.

Whether you are a local who has enjoyed these Sno-balls for years, or an out of towner in need of a tasty treat, you cannot go wrong with Kaleido-Sno.