STORE AROUND THE CORNER: ScoopDaddy's

During a family vacation to Southwest Florida, Peter and Stefanie Beauchamp and their children, Nick and Holly, discovered ScoopDaddy’s on St. Armands Circle in Sarasota.

The former Massachusetts residents enjoyed the ice cream shop’s unique atmosphere so much that they made sure to stop in whenever they were in town. The Beauchamps moved to Florida two years ago and shortly thereafter they found out ScoopDaddy’s was for sale. 

The couple decided to purchase the store, making sure to keep the same 50s style experience ScoopDaddy’s is known for.

On Nov. 26, the Beauchamps opened their second ScoopDaddy’s location — this time in the East County. ScoopDaddy’s is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Both Peter and Stefanie Bauchamp, along with their children, can be found behind the counter serving up heaping bowls of gourmet ice cream in a variety of flavors, including toasted coconut, chocolate peanut butter and key lime pie, which is one of the store’s most popular flavors.

“They enjoy it,” Stefanie Beauchamp said of getting her children involved. “They don’t like the less glamorous parts of the job, but I can work them like crazy and they’re happy to do it.”

ScoopDaddy’s, located at 8203 Tourist Center Drive, features the same unique atmosphere that has made the St. Armands Circle location a local landmark.

In addition to gourmet ice cream and lowfat yogurt and homemade hand-dipped waffle cones, the store also sells candy, pretzels, popcorn and drinks. ScoopDaddy’s is also known for its old-fashioned magnets and retro style gifts.

“It’s fun,” Stefanie Beauchamp said. “It’s a fun industry. The people are generally always in a good mood, and they’re from all different walks of life. You meet people from all over the world.”

Eventually, the Beauchamps hope to open a third location and ultimately the couple would like to start a franchise.

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].

BASICS

ScoopDaddy’s 

Owners: Peter and Stefanie Beauchamp

Address: 8203 Tourist Center Drive, Bradenton

Phone: 358-5856

Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., daily

Website: www.scoopdaddys.com

What makes the business unique: “The St. Armands Circle location is a pretty (familiar) little store,” ScoopDaddy’s co-owner Stefnaie Beauchamp said. “We offer gourmet ice cream along with a 50s experience.”