Bunnell, FL – There’s no place better to cool off on a hot summer day than the local ice cream shop. Flagler County is home to half a dozen mom and pop shops ready to serve up a frosty flavor.
On July 18th also known as ‘National Ice Cream Day’ it’s a chance to check out Central Scoops, one of Flagler’s newest ice cream spots.
Owned by Ormond Beach natives Joie Ritger and Danika Gimbel, the mother/daughter duo purchased the Bunnell ice cream shop in October 2020, excited about the chance to work together.
Danika moved back to Florida three years ago with her husband, settling in Palm Coast after many years in Virginia Beach, meanwhile nudging her mom to move down too. Still up north, Joie waited until her son graduated in May 2020 to sell her home and return to the Sunshine State in August 2020, where her own parents live still live in Ormond Beach. With three generations of family all in close proximity, it’s a match made in Heaven.
Ready to go into business together, Danika, a retail professional who counts the snuggly, fun Build-A-Bear Workshop among her favorite career experiences, and Joie, whose career was tailored around education, the pair say the ice cream shop opportunity fell into their laps.
“We just knew we wanted to go into business together,” said Joie. “Life’s short and we wanted to spend more time together.”
Formerly Krieger’s Ice Cream shop, the ladies gave customers a chance to get to know them before formally making the name change this summer with their grand reopening on July 4th. With a love of ‘Friends’ – yes, the TV show, the shop is aptly named “Central Scoops”, where people come to hang out and have ice cream.
“I really love customer service. I love talking and meeting new people,” said Danika. “She’s owned a business so she’s good with that side of it, and I’m good with customer service and that side of it.”
Keeping the great quality (they serve Hershey’s Ice Cream brand), and expanding the number of flavors, customers love it and they’ve been busy putting smiles on faces.
“It’s fun because people that come in here, we consider them all family,” shared Joie. “People are not in a bad mood when they come in here.”
Of course, they love meeting new people and getting to know their neighbors, but also want to ensure when someone has a late night ice cream craving they can get exactly what they need. Ice cream lovers can order up their favorite flavors via Door Dash or Grub Hub, and a pint, quart or sundae will be happily delivered to your door.
“We’re very popular on Door Dash and Grub Hub,” Danika said, while loading up five pints of ice cream for Grub Hubber Mike D. to deliver on Sunday afternoon. “You can sit at home and order from the couch. That’s the beauty of it, especially when it’s raining.”
Special dietary needs are also on their radar, and vegan-friendly, non-dairy (oat milk) vanilla and chocolate chunk are always available as is oat milk for making specialty shakes. Central Scoops also offers two reduced fat, no sugar added options, as well as a frozen yogurt flavor.
“We try to have something for everybody,” said Danika.
If you become a regular, you might even score a permanent place on the menu like Bob, whose sundae is now an official thing.
“He comes in a couple of times a week and so he made the sundae. So now we have ‘The Bob’ sundae,” Danika said with a giggle, sharing the not-so-secret recipe. “It’s vanilla ice cream with peanut butter sauce, hot fudge, Reese’s chunks, whipped cream and nuts. Bob knows what he’s doing for sure.”
Keeping their five year goal simple: to keep growing the customer loyalty by being ‘that ice cream shop everyone wants to go to’, they’re off to a good start by sharing their in-house favorites. Danika loves the Mint Chocolate Chip, and Joie’s favorite is the Honey Roasted Peanut Butter. One stop into Central Scoops and they’re pretty sure you’ll find your favorite too.
Central Scoops
602 S. State Street (US 1), Suite B
Bunnell, FL 32110
Tue – Fri: 2 pm to 8:00 pm
Sat/Sun: 1 pm to 8:00 pm
Mon: Closed
