Former Disney Cast Members open sweet shop for employees of all abilities

in Food, Walt Disney World

Disney Cast members dessert shop

Credit: Chip Byers and Andrew Collins / Rita's Italian Ice

It isn’t every day you get to visit a dessert shop run by a people from all walks of life. Two former Disney Cast Members are trying to change that. Chip Beyers and Andrew Collins, who previously worked together at Walt Disney World in Florida, are opening a Rita’s Italian Ice shop next week. Their goal? To hire employees of all abilities.

“Being autistic myself, I understand trying to find a job can be incredibly challenging,” Byers shared with local news station WESH 2. “I knew before we launched, our location was going to be special and that we were going to open opportunities for people like me.”

Though Byers and Collins officially opened their location of Rita’s Italian Ice in June, they are hosting a four-day grand opening event next weekend to celebrate not only their new business venture but also diversity.

Disney Cast members dessert shop
Credit: Chip Byers and Andrew Collins

“We wanted to have a big opening day celebrating diversity, inclusivity, and new beginnings,” said Collins. “During our opening celebration, we are confident the community will know Rita’s is the ideal place to celebrate little everyday moments that make life special.”

By the sounds of that, it’s no wonder these two are former Disney Cast Members. Those who frequently visit Disney Parks know that it is the exceptional service and wonderful, welcoming attitudes that keep guests satisfied and returning again and again. And from what we can tell, it seems like Byers and Collins are bringing those same ideals of positivity and inclusivity into their new business.

Disney Cast members dessert shop
Credit: Rita’s Italian Ice

If you’ll be in central Florida next weekend, be sure to stop by Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard in Lake Buena Vista on Regency Village Drive for the new location’s Christmas in July grand opening event. The grand opening, which runs from Thursday, July 25 through Sunday, July 28, will go from 12-4 p.m. each day and provide donations to Give Kids the World Village, a nonprofit resort in Kissimmee, FL for children with live-threating illnesses and their families.

If you can’t make it to the grand opening next week, don’t worry! This new location of Rita’s Italian Ice is here to stay, and if you want to stop by on your next Walt Disney World vacation, it’s only around 10 miles from Magic Kingdom. You can follow along on their official Facebook page for updates.

What do you think of these two former Disney Cast Members and their new dessert shop? Let us know in the comments!

Source: WESH 2

in Food, Walt Disney World

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