06/28/2025
✨ Peace ✌️ Out with a Full Heart 💖 ✨
The Neighborhood Slush – Final Day: Saturday, June 28th
As I pour my final slushy this weekend, I’m filled with more gratitude than words can express. What started as a bold, slightly ridiculous dream became something truly magical—because of YOU.
To my customers—you were never just customers. You were my sunshine on the hard days, my biggest cheerleaders, and the soul of The Neighborhood Slush. Your laughter, your loyalty, your support kept me going. You’re the reason I held on this long. I’d name you all if I could—but let me just say: I hope every sip you took here felt like a little moment of joy.
To my mom—for the endless cleaning, decorating, pitching in on a moment’s notice, and for being Employee of the Month… basically every single month. You held me (and the mop) up more times than I can count.
To Tony—for the hours (and hours… and hours) of building, designing, fixing, hauling, and listening to every single breakdown and breakthrough. You were the quiet force behind every big idea that came to life.
To my team of angels who stepped in when I needed a breather, a break, or backup during the chaos: Emily, Liz, Holly F., Josie, Rindie—thank you for showing up and showing out. I’ll never forget it.
To my sister Sara—the official Slush Accountant (whether she liked it or not). Your support and spreadsheets meant the world.
To my girlfriend Renee—my spiritual mentor, soul-soother, and safe space. You were the one who reminded me to trust my gut, to breathe through the chaos, and to believe in the magic of it all—even when I couldn’t see it myself. Thank you for your insight, your wisdom, your guidance, and maybe just a little bit of that ✨ extra magic ✨ too.
To my girlfriend Tracy—one of my longest, most loyal friends and Cassville’s brilliant tourism director. Thank you for always believing in this little slushy dream, for cheering me on, and for the behind-the-scenes work you do to make this town (and my business) shine. You’ve been part of this from the very beginning, and your support never went unnoticed.
To my fellow bar and small biz owners—your advice, collaboration, and encouragement made me feel like I wasn’t doing this alone. I see you, and I thank you.
To all the incredible businesses I got to partner with—thank you for saying YES to the fun, funky, and sometimes absurd. You made this place feel alive with possibility.
To Charlie, our very own ferry captain and the biggest slushy hype man Cassville’s ever known—thank you for always shouting us out from the riverbanks.
To my kids—Hailey, Cyan, and Chance—thank you for the ideas, the advice, the modeling, the strategy, the everything. You inspire me more than you’ll ever know. I love you always.
And yes, to my customers & again. And everyone who has supported me again. And again. I could say it a hundred times and it still wouldn’t be enough.
This may be the end of The Neighborhood Slush (for now)—but it’s not the end of the joy we created here. I’ll carry it with me wherever the next adventure leads.
Let’s raise one last glass together. Come in for your final slushy, your final laugh, and your final shenanigans like only we know how.
With all my heart,
Carrie 💛
