Scoop & Twist Marks 5-Year Anniversary with Community Block Party

While the recession caused other small businesses to fail, a steady stream of sweet-toothed customers kept in cones. Now 5 years old, the family-owned ice cream shop is celebrating the milestone with a two-day anniversary bash for the community that made it a success.

From noon to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, customers of all ages are invited out to Scoop & Twist’s corner at 23 Mile and Card Road to meet the owners, Sue and Kevin Hanlon, enjoy the bouncy house, enter event raffles, and of course, eat lots of ice cream.

“Our customer base is really loyal,” said manager Nicole Mentlewicz, 19. “It’s people we see on a weekly basis coming in with their kids. We just wanted a way to give back to them.”

Though Scoop & Twist often partners with schools and community organizations for fund-raisers, this is the shop’s first solo celebration.

So what can people expect?

“Hopefully craziness,” Mentlewicz said. “We’ll have the bounce house for the kids and a (Macomb Township) fire truck.”

The shop will also offer $1 slushies, hot dogs, pizza slices, junior scoops, soft serve and Frostyogurt frozen yogurt–menu's newest item. 

“We just started offering the Frostyogurt about two weeks ago,” Mentlewicz said. “It’s more for the health-conscious folks, but it’s also really good.”

This latest addition completes the frozen treat trifecta (including Ashby’s Sterling hard ice cream and soft serve) that Mentlewicz believes will make this the business' best summer yet.

“I think this summer we’re definitely going to skyrocket unlike any past summer,” she said. “Business is booming.”

A look at the shop’s Wall of Fame suggests she’s right. Filled with photos of the store’s youngest customers, this wall contains several hundred reasons for continued success. 

“We’re all like a little family,” Mentlewicz said. “The employees working here are really awesome and we’re all really close knit, even our customers ... Honestly, we wouldn’t be having a five-year anniversary bash if it wasn’t for them. They really are amazing.”