Scoops on Center gearing up for first full summer in Lewiston

Ice cream shop located next to Spicey Pickle

By Joshua Maloni

GM/Managing Editor

If you enjoy The Spicey Pickle’s burritos, bowls and nachos, then we’ve got a “Scoop” for you: There’s a new taco in town. …

And it’s made with ice cream!

Scoops on Center – Pickle proprietor Aaron Rotella’s second business in the 400 block of South Center Street – opened Wednesday for its second season. The sweet shop serves Ashby’s Sterling Ice Cream, something unique in the Western New York dessert industry.

“They’re out of Michigan,” Rotella said. “They have a lot of unique flavors,” including “O-O-Cheesecake” (described as creamy cheesecake ice cream with crushed Oreo cookies swirled in); “Cool Mint Cookie” (mint ice cream with chocolate-covered mint cookie balls, Andes mints, and a chocolate cookie fudge swirl); “Bake Shoppe” (creamy cookie dough ice cream with chocolate chip cookie dough and fresh-baked brownie bites, swirling with soft, chocolate fudge topping); “Salty Jack” (salted caramel ice cream with swells of salted caramel and butter-toasted peanuts); and “Michigan Pot Hole” (thick, black-tar fudge in chocolate ice cream with chunks of chocolate asphalt).

“They just came out with a new one, ‘Dubai Chocolate’ (creamy chocolate ice cream with swirls of rich, pistachio butter and crispy, chocolate crunchies),” Rotella said.

“It was pretty good,” he added. “It’s a good product.

“Everybody’s used to the local ones, but it’s nice having something different. …

“People that come in love it.”

Scoops on Center’s Ani Conrad and the new “Ice Cream Taco” served in a homemade waffle shell.

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“There’s a lot of different flavors that you don’t see (in Western New York),” Rotella said.

Team leader Ani Conrad said, “All of the ice creams that we’ve tried are just so good. I just feel like, with the names and the flavors, everything about it is different” than what locals can find at other eateries or stores. “It just gives you more of an exotic ice cream range of flavors.”

Scoops on Center offers cones, bowls and milkshakes, in addition to an assortment of novelty items such as:

•“Sunday Funday,” a pairing of vanilla, chocolate or twist soft serve with sauce, peanuts, whipped cream and a cherry;

•The “Whippin Whirlpool,” which teams vanilla, chocolate or twist soft serve with a choice of three toppings all whipped together and crowned with cream and a cherry; and

•“Loaded Ice Cream Nachos,” combining vanilla, chocolate or twist soft serve with cinnamon waffle pieces, a choice of four toppings, sauce, whipped cream and a cherry.

Just like at the Spicey Pickle, loads of creative toppings are available to further customize an order.

“Loaded Ice Cream Nachos” at Scoops on Center, 465 Center St., Lewiston.

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Also unique at Scoops on Center: It’s indoors.

“I know a lot of people don’t go out for ice cream on a rainy day, but we always do have some seating inside or at the Pickle,” Rotella said. When weather is nicer, “We do have the seating out front.”

Conrad said she’s excited “Just being able to give people what they want, and seeing people enjoy something that you’re offering them. … It brings me joy.”

Between the staff and the customers, “It’s just a great environment, and I like being a part of that.”

“Ani’s gung-ho and she wants to really push it, so I’m hoping that she does well with it,” Rotella said. “I’m sure she will. She’s very creative with her ideas.”

“We tried to make it a fun environment and setting, where it’s comfortable,” Conrad said. “Even with the wallpaper being up” and displaying ice cream-themed art.

She noted, “We are working on our different specials, such as on Fridays you get free toppings; Wednesdays, we’ll do specialty milkshakes for the same price as a regular milkshake.

“We’re going to try and come up with different stuff every week.”

Scoops on Center is open from 4-8:30 p.m. weekdays, and 2-8:30 p.m. weekends at 465 Center St. (right next to The Spicey Pickle). Find it online on Instagram and Facebook.

During the first week, (April 8-15) all items are 50% off regular price.

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