Kurt Schluntz was there in cap and gown when the Class of 2011 graduated from East Hampton High School and it was a wonderful event for him. Now, just weeks later, the big event for Schluntz is the opening of his new business The Whole Scoop. You might not have noticed there is a new ice cream shop on the corner in the Village Center because there was an ice cream shop there before.
Ice cream, around since the 13th century when Marco Polo brought the recipe to Italy from China, was first made out of yak milk and called frozen milk, but today there are a great number of varieties of ice cream. Ask most children and they will tell you ice cream is their favorite food.
As the plans of the Economic Development Commission move forward, there is going to be more foot traffic in the Village Center. This will benefit all the businesses. Just imagine coming off the repaired Airline Trail on a hot day and seeing an ice cream shop. “This is really a good location. We are making connections with other Village merchants. We plan on being involved with any events that go on here in the Village,” said Schluntz.
As the Village Center continues to grow new businesses, Schluntz wants to be right there in the network. He believes the Village Center is a viable commercial area.
Schluntz thinks that one of the problems for this location in the past is that they were not open consistently.
”The Whole Scoop will be open 12:30 to 9 p.m. unless the weather is really bad, then we will close early," he said. "Nobody comes out in bad weather to get ice cream.”
In addition to ice cream cones in a long list of flavors, The Whole Scoops offers milkshakes, cold drinks, ice cream floats, freeze pops and chocolate chip, oatmeal and peanut butter cookies. This Patch reporter can attest to the fact the peanut butter cookies are “to die for.”
"We are considering some marketing ideas now," Schluntz said. "We want to have a Grand Opening with the Economic to the Development Committee. We will have specials like half-off for veterans on the 4th of July. During the Old Home Days, we might have someone dressed as an ice cream cone walking around ... or maybe we can find an ice cream cart. New things are still being planned."
Schluntz sees the biggest challenge for him is how people see his age.
“Being so young, people see me as someone to take advantage of," he said. "They don’t know what I can do so I’ll have to show them.”
On the positive side, Schluntz considers his biggest asset to be his “knowledge of the town and people.” He was raised here and went through the school system. Consequently, he knows the people of East Hampton, feels it is a great town and is happy he can stay here and provide a service for residents.
Schluntz’s future plans include looking into different varieties of ice cream for people who cannot eat dairy products.
There is parking on the street or in the Municipal Parking Lot across the street.
