Two ice cream shops opened recently in Chesapeake and Hampton.
Both present ice creams by popular brands. The owners — who are also the sole employees — serve up delicious cones and cups, plenty of smiles and good conversation.
Two Scoops and More, a takeout spot on Great Bridge Boulevard near Highway 17, features hand-dipped Jack and Jill Ice Cream such as French vanilla and strawberry. The butter pecan is worth the drive. It packs lots of nuts and a rich buttery taste that gives the mouth an old-fashioned ice cream feel. Each week, the shop offers different soft serve flavors such as lemon and lime. It also serves cotton candy and brownie boats with three scoops, strawberry and mango lemonades, funnel fries and more.
Beverly Britt, the owner and an active duty Army service member, wants her business to bring families together to create memories.
“Everyone’s happy when they’re getting ice cream,” she said.
Regular visits by cartoon characters such as Elmo add to the experience. The place also has enough room to take pictures with them or snap selfies near the stickered walls.
Sommer Freeze, a 5-minute walk to Buckroe Beach, features hand-dipped Blue Bell Creameries such as cherry vanilla and cookies and cream. Flavors vary each week. The ice cream shop also sells a creamy soft serve vanilla. Each lick will have customers singing “Sommer Freeze makes me feel fine,” a riff off the song “Summer Breeze” by Seals and Crofts. A giant chalkboard near the entrance also lists milkshakes, floats, snow cones and popcorn.
“There were no ice cream shops in my neighborhood, so I opened one,” said Veronica “Roni” Sommer, the owner and former bartender.
The free-standing building can seat patrons at a wooden bar and two bistro sets near the window. A brick path alongside the establishment leads to the fenced patio area, which consists of three picnic tables. A heat lamp sits in the corner behind a circular table. The year-round business seems ready to accommodate visitors during the brisk months.
Rekaya Gibson, rekaya.gibson@virginiamedia.com, 757-295-8809; on Twitter @gibsonrekaya
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If you go
The spot: Two Scoops and More, 910 Great Bridge Blvd., Chesapeake.
Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Sunday
Order this: Butter pecan ice cream and lemon soft serve
Prices: $2.50 to $9.25
Contact: tinyurl.com/twoscoopsmore, 757-704-6437
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The spot: Sommer Freeze, 308 A Buckroe Ave., Hampton.
Hours: Noon to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 1 to 9 p.m. Sunday
Order this: Soft serve vanilla, banana pudding and bride’s cake ice creams
Prices: $2 to $5.50
Contact: tinyurl.com/sommerfreeze, 757-527-4444
