Welcome to the Islands!

Palm trees, surfboards, and snow. Universal City's Bahama Buck's is the newest "in-town" vacation spot. A tropical paradise with the refreshing coolness of flavored shaved ice, Bahama Buck's has animated the surrounding area with island decor and the environmentally uncharacteristic glowing palm trees. "Customers remark about the fun building and how the palm trees have livened up Pat Booker Road," says owner and operator Rhona Harris. After taking in the scenery, the delicious products complete the island getaway package.

Mrs. Harris first experienced a Bahama Bucks shaved ice when she visited the nearby San Marcos location. "My daughter claimed it was 'the best shaved ice ever.' I was immediately attracted to the island tropical decor" remembers Mrs. Harris. As a naturally energetic woman, Mrs. Harris is an avid lover of the Mocha Java flavor. The caffeine connotation of the coffee inspired flavor ties into the energetic personality of its fan. The San Marcos visit opened the door for Mrs. Harris to "try something different" in her life.

Although evolving from a kindergarten teacher of twenty two years to a business owner was something different, it was not an immense shock for Mrs. Harris. "My stress level stayed the same" she teases, "kindergartners prepare you for anything." As for the change from kindergartners to young adults, the experience of a teacher is paying off. Mrs. Harris relies on her teacher experience to motivate her employees. Positive reinforcement or "praise" pushes her employees to work harder to aid the customer in simulating an utopian tropical experience.

"The customer comes first is the philosophy running the Universal City Bahama Bucks," reports Mrs. Harris, "we love the snowball play with the customers." Seeing as most Texans do not receive even a variable amount of snow during the coldest parts of winter, the mid-summer experience of a snowball fight is a welcomed anomaly. Mrs. Harris' transition from teach to would-be meteorologist enables Universal City to have a "chance of snow" all year round.