Many can recall the summers of childhood — the excitement of ordering a snow cone, picking out a flavor and having a bright-colored tongue the rest of the afternoon.

Drive down Carolina Avenue, and a new pink-and-blue-colored shop catches the eye. Those childhood memories suddenly come flooding back.

The Pelican’s SnoBalls franchise opened a location in Washington on July 1, run by Winterville residents Harold and Linda Curtis.

With Harold’s background in business and inventory, and Linda’s experience in day-to-day operations, the two complement one another and work as a team.

The Pelican’s franchise originated in New Orleans, and in the past four years has doubled its number of locations, according to the Curtises. Other locations can be found in Greenville, Rocky Mount or Kinston.

The couple first got the idea to open a snow cone shop after visiting one in Raleigh. With Pelican’s continuing growth, special attention to flavor and Christian-based leadership, the Curtises said they decided it was a good fit.

Although Washington has a lower population than other cities, Linda Curtis said they knew it was the place to be after seeing all of the restaurants and stores “on every corner.”

Each Pelican’s location is allowed to have its own personal touches, as well, and Linda Curtis said they want the shop to be a welcoming place for residents. The Curtises are working with one of the student employees to come up with an order to support one of the local high schools.

“People are coming up to us and thanking us for coming,” Linda Curtis said. “They are just blown away at the flavors.”

In the future, the couple hopes to clear a two-acre plot of land behind the shop to build a putt-putt course. Along with that, the Curtises also want to acquire more locations to pass on to their children.

For now, though, they look forward to seeing the smiles on the customers’ faces — children and adults alike.

“We’re just glad we can have something that is fun and exciting and wanted in the Washington area,” Harold Curtis said.