By Kaitlin Hoskins, News Editor
Derian Carden and her husband Tyler Carden celebrated the opening of The Chill Spot in Attalla last Friday, August 23.
The high school sweethearts were joined by friends, family members, customers and city leaders during the ribbon cutting ceremony Friday.
“I just want to thank the Cardens for all that they are doing for the City of Attalla,” said Attalla Mayor Larry Means. “We hope they do good, and we know we are going to support them. We’re lucky to have them and we are very blessed to have so much going on in Attalla.”
The Cardens began their journey into restaurant owning by taking a mobile shaved ice shop around to various venues and events in Etowah County just over a year ago.
The idea was they would have something fun to do on the side, make a little extra income and visit events that the family would have otherwise attended.
“You know, we had the trailer, and we were just thinking that it would be something fun to do,” Tyler said. “We could also make extra income while attending the events we already went to as a family. Then I saw the shop in downtown Attalla. When I saw it posted but didn’t think much about it because at that time my wife was pregnant, and I thought that it would be a lot.”
Tyler said the shop kept popping up and that he treated that as a sign.
“I kept seeing it and thought ‘let’s just go for it’ and we did,” he said.
The renovations took about three months to complete, and according to Tyler, the building owner, Ron Catoe, was instrumental in making sure the Cardens had everything they needed.
“We could not have done it without him,” Tyler said. “We’ve had so much support from our family and friends as well. And everyone with the city has been so great to us.”
The Chill Spot is Family owned and operated shaved ice and ice cream shop located at 319 5th Ave. NW in Attalla. According to Tyler, they will continue using the mobile station at events as well.
The business is open Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. and 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
“The Cardens are good people,” Means said. “Don’t just come back this week. Keep coming back and tell your friends and family to come by and support them.”
The couple graduated from Etowah High School and decided to stay in Attalla to raise their family in their hometown. The Cardens welcomed their second child, a baby girl, to the family just a month before the opening of The Chill Spot. They have a son who is now five years old.
“In the middle of all of this we had a baby, which threw a beautiful wrench into the plans, of course,” Tyler said. “We’ve been busy.”