BEATING THE HEAT: Kid-run Shiver Shack makes a splash in Pullman

PULLMAN – Vanilla ice cream is nestled in the middle of a Hawaiian-style treat at The Shiver Shack, which has become a popular Pullman gathering spot since it debuted this summer.

The shaved ice at The Shiver Shack at 640 S. Grand Ave. can be served with a creme drizzle and any flavor of syrup, said Dan Fitzgerald, who, with his wife, Cassi Fitzgerald, is an investor and consultant for the business operators, their four children.

The Shiver Shack has 18 flavors for its shaved ices, such as blue raspberry, cherry cola, peach, lemon and lime. Some of those flavors are also ingredients in Italian sodas, another big seller, he said.

The business, which has outside seating at picnic tables, is located in the parking lot of Palouse Floors and Carpet Cleaning, businesses the Fitzgeralds own.

The hours are 1-7 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday in July and August.  

The business will provide summer employment for their children and The Shiver Shack’s employees, many of whom are friends of the Fitzgerald children, he said.

“When the kids go back to school, we’ll close it and roll it back out next summer,” Fitzgerald said.

Already the business is operating at a profit, exceeding the expectations their children outlined, Fitzgerald said.

Putting together The Shiver Shack has made this summer one of the best ever for the family, Fitzgerald said.

One of the highlights was Pullman Mayor Francis Benjamin participating in a ribbon cutting on The Shiver Shack’s opening day, he said.

The idea for the business emerged as they were thinking about options for their children, ages 10, 12, 14 and 15, who are just beginning to reach ages where youths often have summer jobs, Fitzgerald said.

“The kids got excited about it and we had them put together a business plan,” he said.

They bought the food trailer in the Boise area and their children did a one-day internship with an owner of a similar business in that area, Fitzgerald said.

The youngest two received special permission from a Whitman County Superior Court judge to be employees. All of the children earned food-handler licenses.

Their oldest daughter, Addyson, 15, serves as the manager. She’s done tasks such as hiring employees. One of her younger sisters, Bethany, 14, created logos. Together the children decorated the space in a tropical theme with bright colors and flowers, Fitzgerald said.

The result is so authentic many customers have told them it reminds them of vacations to Hawaii and Mexico.

“We’ve been really overwhelmed by the response,” he said.