#ScoopLocal

Ice cream shops are a vital part of their communities, spreading joy and creating opportunities for people to succeed as small-business owners. (In fact, our founder & CEO Michael’s great-grandparents got their start in America with a family-owned soda fountain in New York City.) Today, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, local ice cream shops need our support more than ever.

All week, we're donating 50% of website profits* to the James Beard Foundation's Open for Good campaign to help independent restaurants survive and thrive for years to come.

Enlightened founder and CEO Michael Shoretz shares the story of his great-grandparents’ business

Ways to Help 1. Buy a gift certificate or merch Even if your favorite shop is closed, making a purchase online is a great way to show your support. Some shops are accepting donations, too!

2. Write a review Positive reviews on services like Yelp, TripAdvisor, and Google encourage ice cream lovers to discover a new favorite

3. Get a scoop to go If your ice cream shop is safely able to offer pickup (don't forget to wear a mask!) or delivery, enjoy a socially-distanced cone at home or outdoors

4. Shout them out Spread the word and share your love with a post on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter.

Use hashtag #ScoopLocal and tag @EatEnlightened in your post and we'll donate $1 per post to the James Beard Foundation's Open for Good campaign.* The restaurants you love,

open for good Small businesses like local ice cream shops need our support, now more than ever. With your donation to the James Beard Foundation’s Open for Good campaign, you’re helping independent restaurants keep their doors open and adapt to a changing world. DONATE NOW

Scooper Stars We asked you to tell us about your favorite local scoop shop. Check out six amazing nominees below! Leona's Ice Cream Pittsburgh, PA Leona's specializes in 100% lactose-free ice cream made with 100% real dairy. To source ingredients, married co-founders Katie and Christa transformed a vacant lot into a fully functioning garden.

Mikey Likes It New York, NY Founder/Owner Mikey Cole has created custom flavors for Hillary Clinton and Jay-Z. Mikey's shop features pop-culture-inspired flavors like Pink Floyd and Incredible Hulk.

Spencer's Ice Cream Bradley, ME Founded in 1933, Spencer's was acquired by its current owner, Jack Watkins, when Jack was only a senior in high school. All flavors are made on-site, including specialties like Strawberry Rhubarb and Maple Grapenut.

iKON Ice Cream Scottsville, NY Inspired by the memory of their late son Kael, Keith and Tiffany Nicolosi are serving up over 100 flavors of soft-serve custard.

Sweet Joy Ice Cream Bar Lawrenceville, GA Co-owners Talia and Matt Mrorinzki keep the whole family happy with games like Uno for kids and booze-infused flavors for adults.

Sugar Bowl Decorah, IA Nathan Todd's interest in running an ice cream shop began with a grad school assignment. Today, Nathan and his wife, Brittany, are scooping up 24 flavors with their three sons as taste testers. Follow along on Instagram, where we'll be sharing video profiles of these nominees all week! FOLLOW US