The vibrant cart stocked with colorful bottles of flavors like “tiger’s blood,” cotton candy and blue-raz are bound to satisfy Bethesda residents’ cool cravings on any hot summer day. Customers will soon notice a change, however, in the Bethesda staple when co-owner John Styer retires and hands the business down to his nephew, Clay Styer, the inspiration for the “Clayboy” name.
The Styer brothers began selling Clayboys 10 years ago, and John’s brother will continue to head the company.
John decided to retire earlier than he planned and eagerly anticipates having his summers off and no commitments.
But despite the relaxation time, he finds retirement to be a little bittersweet.
“I’ve had only good memories,” John says. “People are always nice buying shaved ice. I’ve never had one complaint.”
After a decade of selling shaved ice in front of Barnes & Noble, he formed relationships with numerous customers.
“I have a lot of people who claim to be my best customers,” he says. “I want all of them to keep thinking that. I would never be able to pick one favorite customer.”
Sophomore Mark Looch says that the Clayboy vendor was a memorable part of his childhood and is disappointed to see John retire.
“He’s a part of our community,”
Looch says. “I’m convinced that Bethesda just won’t be the same.”
Clay, a freshman at American University, worked the cart two days a week this past summer and is anxious to start working full time.
“I can’t wait to take over the cart!” Clay says. “I like the whole experience. It’s fun to just to
be out there and interacting with different people.”
But learning the ropes of the job isn’t simply fun and games. He has some big shoes to fill.
“The way everyone in Bethesda knows him is still a surprise to me,” he says. “Working every day is a lot more than I have ever done before.”
Once Clay begins working on a daily basis, his uncle, the original “Clayboy guy” will no longer make the shaved ice.
“I really do wish my uncle wasn’t retiring,” Clay says. “It was more fun working while he was there. He created a relaxed atmosphere.”
Clay isn’t the only one saddened by his uncle’s retirement. Junior Catherine Block, a regular Clayboy customer, will also miss his kindness and attention to detail.
“I would always ask him to put extra Swedish Fish in my cup,” Block says. “He always did.”
