It was critical for Scooped that their new space felt warm and captured the imagination of passersby. Their ice cream is produced in small batches, locally, and is best stored in enclosed freezers. Which means that customers are not able to engage with the product directly. How do you design a brand for a blind purchase? Our response was a warm invitation.
From the moment customers step into Scooped, they are immediately embraced by the aroma of freshly made waffle cones, drifting through the air and blending with the rich, ice cream. The smell extends beyond the store, tempting passersby in the mall corridors to come inside and indulge.
The space is bathed in a warm glow of dynamic lighting, reflecting off fluted glass and earth toned porcelain tiles that form the foundation of the store’s aesthetic. The walls and floors, made from a soft, muted red-orange porcelain tile with a subtle pink undertone, create a feeling of calm and warmth. A staggered tile pattern on the floor directs attention to the service counter, which stands as the focal point. Here, premium handcrafted ice cream is served alongside meticulously prepared waffle cones.
The cone-making process is intrinsic to the customer experience. While the custom waffle cone iron creates signature patterns, partial-height walls, finished in a fluted glass, curve gently into the space, creating an ever-shifting ambiance that elevates the store’s atmosphere. At the apex of this curve, an opening reveals a pint merchandise freezer, integrated into the wall. This feature provides a view into the illuminated ice cream pints, which are stored in the walk-in freezer at the back of house and discreetly conceal the entry to the back of house.
To complement the ice cream, a custom designed pastry case is illuminated to showcase delicate cones arranged in bespoke trays. The palette balances brushed stainless steel with bourbon monocoat oak accents. Key wooden elements at touch points such as the condiment station and point of sale invite customers to interact with the environment in a tactile way.
Lighting plays a crucial role in setting the mood. The linear pendant light above the service counter highlights the craft of ice cream, while glass-blown pendants above the condiment station create an inviting atmosphere visible to those passing by the store. This intentional lighting design highlights the luxurious details of the space and draws customers’ attention to the experience.