May 29, 2008
Tropical Sno: The plot thickens
On Thursday, I was wondering why someone was picketing about the Tropical Sno stand at the corner of Far West and Wood Hollow. People were speculating in the comments, and then commenter Rachel told us she'd just driven by the intersection that afternoon. The picketing was still going on, but the shaved-ice stand was open too. She noted that Tropical Sno was being operated by someone in a Kneaded Pleasures apron.
I had to see this for myself, so I drove over to the intersection. This was around 7:15 pm and the picketer or picketers were gone. However, I did manage to snap the above photo of the Tropical Sno stand. The stand was closed, but a couple of people were cleaning it up in the back ... wearing Kneaded Pleasures aprons and hats. I didn't want to take their photos because that seemed intrusive, so you'll just have to take my word and Rachel's.
So the stand is open now, and being operated by Kneaded Pleasures, while the former owner pickets the place? Wow. How did that happen? Either commenter/photographer Brad is right and the Austin Chronicle will reveal it all to us soon, or else I'll have to go back there and ask about it. It's the picketers I'd like to hear from, at this point. I'm getting awfully nosy about a snowcone stand I never visit, but curiosity can be fickle that way.
Posted at May 29, 2008 07:57 PMOh, I'm intrigued also, and I've never had Tropical Sno. I've been to Kneaded Pleasures and wasn't that impressed . . . I want to know what the story is! =)
Posted by: eliz.s. at May 30, 2008 08:41 AMI owned and ran the Tropical Sno business in this area for 20 years. I have seen my customers grow from infants to young adults, and many of them have become my friends. I rented the space at Far West and Wood Hollow for the past 7 years on a year to year bases. The strip center got new management this past year. The owner of Kneaded Pleasures Greg Nelson rented my spot from the new manager. Neither gave me the opportunity to rent it this year. When he put in the same business that I had in this area for the past 20 years I was shocked that anyone could be so unethical and immoral. I guess he saw my business and wanted it , and would go to any means necessary to steal it. He took my livelihood away without even a thought. I went in to Kneaded Pleasures and spoke with Greg Nelson and asked him how he can sleep at night knowing what he did and he looked me in the eyes and said "Very Well". That should speak volumes about what kind of a person he is. Austin 360 did a write up on my stand summer 2007. If you would like to talk to me about this, feel free to e mail me at linhstone_2005@yahoo.com. On Wednesday of this week we will have several people with signs on the Far West/Wood Hollow sidewalk by the stand.
Thank you.
Linda Stone
Tropical Sno
Well hi, I'm the one in the picture. Linda's one of my very best friends. She would do anything for any one in need. That's why I'm out there. May seem rediculous to some since we're getting sun burned and wet from the heat, but it's worth it to try and let Linda's customers of many years along with the public know what this man has done to her.
I'm pleased to see that there's an interest by all of you! It feels so good when someone rolls down their window and inquires, or honks and raises their thumb up or just says, I'm so sorry.
Her customers have told us when they ask "Where's Linda" at the stand, they actually say "Oh, she gave us her space." Then when some other clients of hers went into Kneaded Pleasures and ask, "what's the deal with the picketers" they say, "Oh she gave us her spot and after she saw how much money we were making, she wants it back." Not that great of a lie when surely Linda knows by this point how much her stand brings in. How dare him after taking it from her, lie about his actions.
On the first day we were out there picketing, Greg Nelson, the owner of Kneaded Pleasures had the audacity to come up to Linda and ask her "don't you think you're being a little childish? Then he said, "anyway, I heard you were crazy." After taking her livilihood away, I find it difficult to believe that it's childish. I would call it more like hurt and outraged that any human could do this.
Linda use to have more stands and actually put her four children through college on her own through Tropical Sno.
Many of Linda's customers have asked how they can help besides not buying from him. We know the kids have their routine buying from her, and they said would be great for a while if we went to another person's store on Burnet Rd. by Roger Beasley. Linda's attempting to get another space close by but so far she hasn't had any luck. All her customers would fly back to her. They love her and her lower prices as well as extra flavors.
So I personally will never step foot in Kneaded Pleasures. I wish it were true that what goes around comes around, but so many people get by with the worst. That's why we're trying to get TV and newspaper articles to help the public to know what he's done to a very special person.
Thanks,
Charlene Easterbrook
Nelson did Linda wrong. Karma is out there, and someday, someway, it will come back to him.
I hope Kneed Pressures goes right out of business.
Posted by: at July 7, 2008 12:33 PM