As it turns out, Longmont needs no persuasion to eat ice cream.
Since opening in May, Scoops on the Corner has had no trouble securing business. Even on day one, the crowds were eagerly waiting despite the owner intending for a subtle entrance into town.
“We intentionally didn’t really do any advertising,” owner Nate Simineri said. “We wanted to get our feet wet, we wanted to get our staff trained, and wanted to slowly build. Yet, day one, we were flooded…May was a roller coaster.”
Scoops has already scored an average 4.8-star rating from more than 100 Google reviews and three nominations for Times-Call’s Best of Longmont Awards.
What’s going right?
According to Simineri, several things are working wonders for Scoops right now:
Ice cream is handmade in-store using 100% Colorado dairy with recipes developed by Nate, and his family.
Its northern Longmont location.
An experience geared towards fun and inclusivity.
Flavors are geared towards adults and children alike, from purebred chocolate to the third-most popular flavor, huckleberry cheesecake.
Five daily non-dairy options.
Simineri says locals have shown great appreciation for locally-sourced products. But, perhaps Scoops’ most important tool is its spot on 18th Avenue and Hover Street. It’s the same place a Baskin-Robbins formerly resided, whose departure left an ice cream-sized hole in NoLoCo.
The vast majority of Longmont’s ice cream offerings are along Main Street. To get to them, many residents have to drive up to 15 minutes, find a place to park, and walk multiple blocks.
“This entire northern half of town just had nowhere to go,” Simineri said.
Scoops is surrounded by ample parking, has a drive-thru, and a wealth of seating.
Origin story:
Simineri’s exposure to the ice cream business began at just two years old. His parents owned a frozen dessert shop of their own in New Jersey where Simineri has fond memories pitching in for the family business. After trying to make his own way as an adult and spending time working in corporate roles for Amazon, he felt a calling to return to what really offered him joy.
“I wanted to do a business, but I wanted it to be joyful,” Simineri said.