🏪 Coconut Cream Cakes, Halloween Nails and Who's Hiring: Your Main Street Roundup

Or: A Whitwell Farmstand Takes Cake Orders, Two South Pittsburg Lunch Counters Dish Up Specials and a Plumber Talks Gas Appliances

By Thomas Seest, Dunlap.Today · Wednesday, October 14, 2026

Wednesday on Main Street is like the middle of the week at the feed store: folks swap news across the counter, somebody mentions who’s hiring, and somebody else says, “You’ve got to try her cake.” This week’s counter talk is sweet, handy and hopeful — one cake with a deadline, a spooky-season treat for your fingertips, two old-fashioned lunch plates, a plumber for gas jobs, a hometown honor and real jobs that pay the same day.

Here’s what’s in it: Dar & Darryl’s Farmstand in Whitwell is taking preorders for coconut cream cakes for Thursday, Oct. 15 pickup, Nice Nails on Rankin Avenue in Dunlap is doing Halloween designs, Dixie Freeze and Yum Yums Take Out Cafe in South Pittsburg are serving daily specials, The Lucky Duck Plumbing is highlighting gas water heater, stove and dryer installs, Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative’s president is featured in a national co-op magazine and Gibbs Pools and Labor Finders Chattanooga are hiring. We also tuck in a kind way to help a valley family in early November.

⏱️ What this means for you in 30 seconds

• Cake deadline: Coconut cream cakes, $10 each or 2 for $18, pickup Thursday, Oct. 15. Message or call 423-413-5569 today.
• Spooky-season nails: Nice Nails, 16952 Rankin Ave., Unit B, Dunlap — (423) 949-3441. Walk-ins and appointments.
• Lunch down the valley: Meat-and-three plates at Dixie Freeze, hibachi at Yum Yums — both in South Pittsburg.
• Need work: Gibbs Pools (call (423) 447-8450) and Labor Finders Chattanooga (same-day pay, apply weekdays 9–11 or 2–4).

🥥 Order by Thursday: Dar & Darryl’s Coconut Cream Cakes Are Back

Dar & Darryl’s Farmstand in Whitwell sold out of its coconut cream cakes the first time, so it’s taking preorders for another limited batch, Dunlap.Today reported Oct. 14. Pickup is Thursday, Oct. 15. The cakes are 8-by-6 inches, priced at $10 each or two for $18. Each one is made with coconut pudding, sour cream, butter, eggs, vanilla, coconut crème, condensed milk and whipped topping. The farmstand notes the cakes contain wheat, milk and eggs and are made in a home kitchen that is exempt from state licensing and inspection. To reserve, message the farmstand or call 423-413-5569.

What it means for you: A homemade coconut cake is the kind of thing that disappears from a church supper table first — and this one is gone just as fast. If you want one, don’t wait: “Coconut cake — call by Thursday.” If anybody in your house has a wheat, milk or egg allergy, this one’s not for them.

👉 Read more (Dunlap.Today: Dar & Darryl’s Farmstand)

🎃 Pumpkin Orange on Your Fingertips: Halloween Nails at Nice Nails in Dunlap

Nice Nails in Dunlap is offering Halloween-themed nail designs in pumpkin orange and midnight black, with spooky details, Dunlap.Today reported Oct. 14. The salon does gel nails, dipping powder, French manicures and pedicures, and the designs can be as bold or as subtle as you like. It’s at 16952 Rankin Ave., Unit B, in Dunlap, and the phone is (423) 949-3441. The salon welcomes both walk-ins and appointments.

What it means for you: Halloween parties, trunk-or-treats and fall festivals are stacking up on the calendar. A little orange on your nails is like a porch pumpkin you can take with you — a small, cheerful way to join the fun. Weekends fill fast, so call ahead if you’ve got a party date.

👉 Read more (Dunlap.Today: Nice Nails in Dunlap) · Dunlap.Directory listing

🍽️ Two Lunch Counters Worth the Drive: Dixie Freeze and Yum Yums in South Pittsburg

These two are in South Pittsburg, in Marion County — about the bottom of the valley from Dunlap.

• Dixie Freeze, serving South Pittsburg since 1953, posts daily meat-and-vegetable specials while supplies last, Dunlap.Today reported Oct. 14. Tuesday’s board had pork chops, BBQ pork, and kraut and wieners, with sides like turnip greens, pinto beans, fried squash and potato logs, plus lemon pound cake and coconut cake. It’s at 200 Elm Ave. Its Dunlap.Directory listing shows (423) 837-6423 and hours of Monday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–8 p.m., closed Sunday.
• Yum Yums Take Out Cafe rotates daily specials, and this week featured hibachi steak, shrimp or chicken with noodles, fried rice or vegetables and its homemade Yum Yum sauce, Dunlap.Today reported Oct. 14. Its Dunlap.Directory listing shows 104 4th St., (423) 618-7967, and takeout hours of Tuesday–Friday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.

What it means for you: If you’re headed toward Jasper, Kimball or South Pittsburg for errands or a doctor visit, plan lunch around it. Easy to remember: “Dixie for the plate lunch, Yum Yums for the hibachi.” Specials change daily, so check their Facebook pages or call before you go.

👉 Read more (Dunlap.Today: Dixie Freeze) · Read more (Dunlap.Today: Yum Yums) · Dunlap.Directory: Dixie Freeze · Dunlap.Directory: Yum Yums

🔧 Thinking About Gas Appliances? The Lucky Duck Plumbing Does the Whole Job

The Lucky Duck Plumbing, a licensed plumber based in Ooltewah, is highlighting its gas installation and conversion work: tankless and traditional gas water heaters, gas stoves, gas dryers and complete gas line repipes, Dunlap.Today reported Oct. 14. That means one contractor can handle a single appliance or a whole-house switch. Its Dunlap.Directory listing says it serves the Sequatchie Valley and Hamilton County. Call (423) 522-9851 to talk through a project.

What it means for you: With cold mornings on the way, it’s the season folks think about water heaters and stoves. Gas lines are a job for a licensed pro, the same way you’d call the vet instead of guessing on a sick cow. If you’re curious, ask for a consultation and a written estimate before deciding — no pressure, just information.

👉 Read more (Dunlap.Today: The Lucky Duck Plumbing) · Dunlap.Directory listing

⚡ A Farmer Runs the Co-op: SVEC’s Mike Partin in a National Magazine

Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative President and CEO Mike Partin is featured in the October–November 2026 issue of The Cooperator, a publication that profiles co-op leaders, Dunlap.Today reported Oct. 14. The story describes Partin as a sixth-generation farmer and looks at how that background shapes the co-op’s “people first” approach. The cooperative says the full article is available through its social media pages.

What it means for you: If SVEC brings power to your house, you’re not just a customer — you’re a member-owner. It’s nice to know the fellow at the head of the table knows what a long day in the hayfield feels like. Nothing changes on your bill; it’s simply a hometown recognition worth a smile.

👉 Read more (Dunlap.Today: SVEC’s Mike Partin) · Dunlap.Directory listing

💼 Who’s Hiring: Pool Crews in Evensville and Same-Day Pay in Chattanooga

• Gibbs Pools (Evensville): The family-owned pool contractor is hiring pool technicians (pool equipment, plumbing, pumps, filters and heaters experience preferred) and pool construction workers (outdoor physical work, construction experience preferred), Dunlap.Today reported Oct. 14. The company lists competitive pay, vacation, benefits and room to grow. To apply, call (423) 447-8450 and leave your name, phone number and a short description of your work experience.
• Labor Finders Chattanooga: The staffing office is hiring painters (temp-to-hire possible), HVAC helpers (no experience required, hands-on training) and clean-up crews for debris removal and water and fire damage restoration, all with same-day pay, Dunlap.Today reported Oct. 14. Apply in person at 5646 Brainerd Road, Suite D, Monday–Friday, 9–11 a.m. or 2–4 p.m., or call (423) 698-5380.

What it means for you: Whether you want a steady outdoor job closer to home or a few days of pay while you find your footing, there’s a door open this week. Learning HVAC as a helper is like learning to fix fence from somebody who’s done it for 20 years — you get paid while you pick up a trade. Bring an ID and be on time; first impressions still count.

👉 Read more (Dunlap.Today: Gibbs Pools) · Labor Finders: HVAC helpers · Labor Finders: painters · Dunlap.Directory: Gibbs Pools

📅 Dates to Circle

• Thu., Oct. 15: Pickup day for Dar & Darryl’s coconut cream cakes (preorder first).
• Sat., Oct. 17: Dunlap Farmers Market and the free Days of Yesteryear antique tractor show downtown — a good Saturday to shop local.
• Fri.–Sat., Nov. 6–7: Word of Life Assembly of God is holding a fried chicken and barbecue dinner fundraiser with a raffle to help the family of Dwayne Cravens, a husband, father and pastor in the valley, with funeral expenses. Plates are $10 or by donation, and delivery is available. Contact the church to reserve; raffle details are coming.

👉 Dunlap.Today: Cravens family fundraiser dinner · Chamber: Days of Yesteryear

✅ Your Main Street Checklist for This Week

• ✅ Want a coconut cream cake? Call or message 423-413-5569 today for Thursday pickup.
• ✅ Halloween party coming? Call Nice Nails, (423) 949-3441, or walk in on Rankin.
• ✅ Going down the valley this week? Plan lunch at Dixie Freeze or Yum Yums and check the day’s special first.
• ✅ Wondering about a gas water heater or stove? Get a written estimate from a licensed plumber before you decide.
• ✅ Looking for work? Call Gibbs Pools and leave a message, or visit Labor Finders on a weekday morning with your ID.
• ✅ Put Nov. 6–7 on the calendar to order a $10 plate for a neighbor family.
• ✅ Look up local shops on Dunlap.Directory and send openings or hiring news to Dunlap.Today.

Practical rule: If it says “preorder” or “while supplies last,” call today — good things in a small town go fast.

— Dunlap.Today

📚 Plain-English Main Street Glossary

• Preorder: Reserving something ahead of time so it’s made and saved for you.
• Home kitchen exemption: Some small home bakers in Tennessee sell certain homemade foods without a state inspection. This farmstand says plainly that its cakes are made that way, so you can decide for yourself.
• Gel nails / dipping powder: Two longer-lasting manicure styles; gel is cured under a lamp, and dip uses a colored powder that sets hard.
• Meat-and-three: A Southern plate lunch — one meat and a few vegetable sides.
• Hibachi: Japanese-style grilled meat or shrimp, usually with fried rice or noodles and vegetables.
• Gas repipe: Running new gas lines through a house so gas appliances can be hooked up safely.
• Electric cooperative: A power company owned by the people it serves, called members.
• Temp-to-hire: A temporary job that can turn into a permanent one if it’s a good fit.
• Same-day pay: Getting paid at the end of the day you worked instead of waiting for payday.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get a coconut cream cake from Dar & Darryl’s Farmstand?

Message the farmstand or call 423-413-5569 to preorder. Pickup is Thursday, Oct. 15, in Whitwell. Cakes are 8-by-6 inches, $10 each or two for $18, and contain wheat, milk and eggs.

Do I need an appointment at Nice Nails in Dunlap?

No. The salon welcomes walk-ins and appointments. It’s at 16952 Rankin Ave., Unit B, and the phone is (423) 949-3441. Calling ahead is smart before a busy weekend.

When are Dixie Freeze and Yum Yums open?

Per their Dunlap.Directory listings, Dixie Freeze (200 Elm Ave., South Pittsburg) is open Monday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–8 p.m., and Yum Yums Take Out Cafe (104 4th St., South Pittsburg) is open Tuesday–Friday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Specials change daily, so call or check Facebook first.

Does The Lucky Duck Plumbing work in Sequatchie County?

Its Dunlap.Directory listing says it serves the Sequatchie Valley and Hamilton County. It’s based in Ooltewah. Call (423) 522-9851 to ask about your job.

How do I apply for the jobs in this roundup?

For Gibbs Pools, call (423) 447-8450 and leave your name, number and a short work history. For Labor Finders Chattanooga, apply in person at 5646 Brainerd Road, Suite D, weekdays 9–11 a.m. or 2–4 p.m., or call (423) 698-5380.

How can I help with the Cravens family fundraiser?

Order a $10 fried chicken or barbecue plate (or give a donation) for Nov. 6–7 from Word of Life Assembly of God. Delivery is available, and raffle tickets will be offered. Contact the church to reserve.

🔗 Other Resources

• Dunlap.Directory: find local businesses
• Dunlap.Today: New businesses
• Dunlap.Directory: Nice Nails in Dunlap
• Dunlap.Directory: Dixie Freeze
• Dunlap.Directory: Yum Yums Take Out Cafe
• Dunlap.Directory: The Lucky Duck Plumbing
• Dunlap.Directory: Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative
• Dunlap.Directory: Gibbs Pools
• Dunlap.Directory: Labor Finders Chattanooga
• Dunlap.Directory: Word of Life Assembly of God
• Dunlap Farmers Market
• Dunlap.Today

🏡 Sweet, Handy and Hopeful

There’s nothing to worry over in this week’s Main Street news. It’s a farmstand cake with a waiting list, a salon getting folks ready for fall fun, two lunch counters that have fed families for years, a plumber ready to help, a hometown honor, open jobs and neighbors lining up to feed a grieving family. That’s what a strong small town looks like from the front porch.

So pick one name from this list and give them your business this week, then tell a friend. Read Dunlap.Today for more of what’s new on Main Street, and send us a business we should know.