The Local Scoop in Orleans Review and Interview

The Local Scoop Review and Interview
By Molly

The Local Scoop
34 Cranberry Highway
Orleans, MA
508-255-0101
Thursday, Friday and Monday 12-9
​Saturday and Sunday 12-10

The Local Scoops is a frozen yogurt and ice cream bar located in Orleans. One Saturday afternoon around 2:30 my husband, two kids and I headed to The Local Scoop. When we arrived there was a birthday party in progress so the space was crowded (only two small tables available for customers). At The Local Scoop you create your own frozen yogurt delight and pay by weight.

As you enter the store the frozen yogurt dispensers are right in front of you. You can start by sampling any of the 10 different yogurt on tap that day. Once you have decided on one, two or all 10 flavors you get the desired cup size and start dispensing your yogurt. Mary the owner tries to use as much organic, local, and pure/natural ingredients she can at her shop. After you have gotten all the yogurt you want you head over to the toppings area. The topping combinations are endless from pure blueberries and strawberries to local peanut brittle or kit kat pieces and everything between. Mary really wants to encourage people to think about and really taste and enjoy what they are eating so on the wall above the dry toppings there are charts for food pairing, flavor wheel and seasonal toppings.

After you have completed your masterpiece you take it over to the cash registered to be weighed and pay. Also available to purchase are hard ice cream, ice cream cakes, Cape Cod Pops, Chloe Fruit Pops, smoothies, frappes, coffee (french press), crepes, hot chocolate, brownie baked alaska and lots of local goods. And if your kids need to burn off some energy after their ice cream there is a mini golf putt putt outside that is free.

My kids love going to The Local Scoop and making their own sundaes! My daughter (5y) favorite part today was adding the peanut butter cups and my sons (3y) was the chocolate frozen yogurt. I like that I get to try the flavors before and add exactly what I want plus the fact that the yogurt does not have all the additives you usually find in frozen yogurt. There are dairy free (vegan) options too.

The birthday parties at The Local Scoop look like a lot of fun. The party guests get to do blind taste test of different frozen yogurts and toppings (encouraging the kids to really think about what they are tasting and to take their time and enjoy it). After that I saw them mixing ingredients together (I assume an ice cream or yogurt base). Then the birthday guests went outside to play mini golf while the table area was cleaned up. At the end all the kids made their own frozen yogurt creation and sang happy birthday to the birthday girl.

Interview with Mary the owner of The Local Scoop:

Me: Could you tell me a little about yourself?

Mary: I am passionate about food and people. I have a dual career - one in food & technology.  A founding member of the Slow Food Cape Cod group, sharing our vision of a food system that is “good, clean and fair”. As a food writer, I  published a cooking newsletter called "Gourmet Mom”  and wrote for  Family Fun & Working Mother magazines. Developing recipes and sharing ideas with other moms.
On the technology side, I work with large organizations developing business solutions and strategies, enterprise class systems.
On a personal side, I have raised 3 boys, 2 cats and have a wonderful partner in my life, who supports all of my crazy initiatives, and thinks of a few crazy ones himself.


Me: How did you get into the ice cream business?


Mary: It was something I dreamed about my whole life ….  I jumped in and have not looked back. During my dream phase, I educated myself at  Penn State Ice Cream University, Malcom Stogos, CIA and BU, as well as  working in other establishments in New England.

What do you offer at The Local Scoop and what makes it unique?
The experience of “make your own sundae” with over 60 toppings to choose from - it is a destination spot. In addition, we source product locally, when available, and offer many frozen desserts using an organic base - non GMO, real milk, cream and natural stabilizers. We have an area dedicated to local food artisans on the Cape, and feature their products in our frozen desserts.
We  showcase taste - mix and match different ingredients to create a taste sensation.
We also cater to all dietary needs - Organic, Gluten Free, Vegan and Sugar Free
And then there are our Crepes - homemade Nutella&Banana, European, Cinnamon Sugar… all gluten free


Me: I hear you do birthday parties can you let me a little about them?


Mary: Yes - we offer a party package, we teach the kids how to make ice cream, birthday child picks the flavor.  We also do blind folded taste tests, and the kids get to make their own Sundaes. Weather permitting we have mini putt putt outdoors.
We also do birthday parties for adults - still same idea, however geared toward adults.


Me: What else do you offer at your store?


Mary: Custom artisan pops - using organic frozen yogurt or ice cream, dipped in chocolate and sprinkled with local goods - see attached menu. We collaborate with other food artisans on the Cape and create one of a kind creations.

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Me: Is there anything else you would like to tell us about?

Mary We have a “Pop Mobile” where we go out to festivals across Cape Cod and SoWa in Boston.
We also can cater to private parties, weddings, events.

We attend 3 farmers markets in the summer  -  Chatham, Orleans and Truro.
Our Cape Cod Pops can be found not only at The Local Scoop, but also at Chequessett Chocolate in Truro, East End Market in Ptown, Cape Cod Beer in Hyannis, Capabilities Farm in Dennis, and at the Firebird Games in Orleans.
We made the short list - 10 Best Places to Get Ice Cream on Cape Cod
and Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence. The Local Scoops Yelp Page

The Local Scoop is definitely worth checking out! I know my family really likes it and will continue going there for special treats. I know I want to try the banana pop. Have you been; what is your favorite treat there?

I will be holding a storytime at The Local Scoop Sunday 3/20 from 1-1:30

Molly Hubner
Usborne Books & More Independent Educational Consultant I am always looking for people to join my Usborne team, host parties (Facebook or home), or just share these wonderful books! For more information visit https://w4728.myubam.com or contact me at mollyhubner@gmail.com ​