Sweet spot
There’s a new place to satisfy your sweet tooth in downtown Homewood.
Scoops, which sells homemade ice cream, flavored popcorn, pretzels and gelato, opened at the end of September in the former Four Seasons Gallery space at 2910 18th St. S.
The gallery was split into two storefronts to accommodate a Jersey Mike’s location. Jersey Mike’s and Scoops are both owned by Patrick and Jennifer Decker, who have worked with the sandwich chain for 11 years.
Every month will feature different ice cream and popcorn flavors, including “stuff you didn’t think was able to be put in ice cream” like maple bacon, Patrick Decker said.
The Deckers and their ice cream chefs have spent months discussing menu ideas to try, and they plan to let the community vote on their favorites.
“It’ll never be the same thing anytime you come in,” Patrick Decker said.
They will also sell popsicles and chocolate-covered fruits. The menu keeps expanding as they think of different ideas.
Patrick Decker said he recently learned about chocolate-covered potato chips and was interested in making those part of the store.
“It’s not your typical ice cream store. You don’t put sprinkles on [the ice cream]. It’s a little different level of toppings,” he said.
With their own ice cream machine in house, Jennifer Decker said Scoops can make custom flavors for customers who want to buy larger quantities.
“[If] you have some crazy flavor you want to try, we can make it,” she said.
The Deckers said they also hope to solicit family recipes and flavor ideas from businesses and residents to feature each month.
Patrick Decker said he thinks customers will notice a difference in the quality of ice cream made fresh every day as opposed to store-bought brands.
Later on, the Deckers plan to launch a popcorn club and ice cream club, where different flavors can be shipped to customers’ homes each month. Though Patrick Decker joked that his favorite part of the business will be having access to ice cream whenever he wants it, he said he’s looking forward to “the excitement that we think it’s going to bring to the area.”
The Deckers added an outdoor patio in front of Scoops for extra seating, but inside the focal point of the décor is a set of large, metal letters spelling out the store name.
Scoops opened at the end of September, and 100 percent of sales in its first two days of business benefited the Bell Center and the Exceptional Foundation. They also held a VIP night where members of those organizations could eat for free.
Between Sept. 26 and Oct. 2, Scoops is donated 50 percent of its sales to the Homewood City Schools Foundation.
Scoops is open Monday-Saturday 11 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sundays noon-9 p.m.
Learn more about Scoops at snackatscoops.com.