Since bringing Kona Ice to Owensboro in 2021, the Edmonds family has grown the business throughout Western Kentucky and Southern Indiana while remaining committed to serving the community.
Kona Ice was founded nationally in 2007, and Jared Edmonds brought the franchise to Owensboro in 2021. As the business has grown, more members of the Edmonds family have joined the operation.
In 2024, the family expanded by adding Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee Truck, Kona Ice’s sister brand, allowing the business to serve coffee, tea, frozen beverages, and energy drinks alongside Kona Ice’s signature shaved ice.
Melissa Edmonds said the business focuses on creating an experience for customers rather than simply serving shaved ice.
“What sets Kona Ice apart is that we’re more than just shaved ice — we create an experience,” Edmonds said. “From our colorful truck and self-serve Flavorwave to our commitment to giving back to the community, we focus on making every event fun, memorable, and easy for our customers.”
The self-serve Flavorwave allows guests to customize their shaved ice with a variety of flavors. Kona Ice also recently expanded its menu to include blended fruit smoothies made with real fruit and no added sugar.
Community involvement has remained a central part of the business. Kona Ice regularly partners with schools, sports organizations, churches, and nonprofit organizations to support fundraisers and community events.
“Our family holds strong ties to the Owensboro community,” she said. “Being part of Owensboro means more than serving shaved ice — it’s home.”
She said the family’s longtime connection to Owensboro has made giving back especially meaningful.
“We’ve built our lives here, raised our children here, watched them go through our local schools, and now we’re seeing our grandchildren do the same,” Edmonds said. “That’s why giving back to our schools, churches, nonprofits, and community events is so important to us. We love being able to serve the community that has given so much to our family.”
For more information about Kona Ice of Owensboro, Madisonville, and Lincoln Trail, visit its website, follow the business on Facebook, call 270-228-4280, or email edmonds@kona-ice.com.
The Chamber Member of the Week program is a Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce membership benefit. Founded in 1913, the Chamber has worked to provide valuable benefits and services to member businesses and individuals for more than a century.
Today, with nearly 1,000 members, the Chamber is a guiding force in community and business development initiatives and serves as the center of business advocacy for the Greater Owensboro region.
To learn more about becoming the Chamber Member of the Week or inquire about Chamber membership, contact Kitty Jones, director of membership, at 270-926-1860 or kjones@owensboro.com
By Morgan Urbanski The Owensboro Times