T E X A R K A N A M A G A Z I N E
TIGER’S BLOOD, BAHAMA MAMA, SILVER FOX, FUZZY NAVEL, WHITE LIGHTNING.
No, these are not the names of the newest pop songs topping the charts; they are flavors, five out of 100 flavors to be exact, and they are all waiting to be poured over some freshly shaved ice. Stephanie and Jim Rainey are the owners and full-time operators of Southern Tropics Shaved Ice located off of State Line Avenue in Texarkana, Arkansas. Established in June 1988, the couple has worked side-by-side providing their unrivaled seasonal, sweet treats to a community that has grown up in front of their eyes. Before Southern Tropic’s conception, Stephanie worked in retail management for 12 years while Jim worked at his family’s business, Rainey Construction Company, until his father’s retirement. They knew they wanted to start a business of their own. One day over thirty years ago, some of their relatives returned from a trip to Hawaii and brought the delicious idea back with them. The Raineys’ fates were sealed. “We just kind of fell into it,” said Stephanie. “Opening a business then, you didn’t know if you were going to stay open very long,” Stephanie said. They started small and have made adjustments along the way, including a switch from their original product—Hawaiian Shaved Ice, which they imported for a season or two. Jim chimed in, “They weren’t as good [as ours].”
FLAVOR OF THE SEASON BY CAROL INE PURTLE
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