New-look Alphabet Scoop reopens tomorrow (Saturday!) on 11th Street

Alphabet Scoop, which hires and trains at-risk teens from the neighborhood and provides them with mentoring, reopens for the season tomorrow morning at 11.

And the shop at 543 E. 11th St. between Avenue A and Avenue B will feature a new look and feel.

Last fall, a group of volunteers came together and raised funds to help give Alphabet Scoop a refresh, including new branding, an updated website and an interior makeover.



In 2002, the Father’s Heart Ministries launched Alphabet Scoop adjacent to its church on 11th Street. You can read more about them here.

Want to know what motivates us at Alphabet Scoop? Our mission statement is posted on the wall inside our shop: As no ordinary ice cream lover, you probably noticed we are no ordinary ice cream parlor. We are a job training program whose mission, like our ice cream, is sweet and simple: invest in the futures of local youth through training and mentorship and invest in our city by funding other Father's Heart Ministries programs with our profits. Each scoop gives our trainees an opportunity to develop their gifts in an encouraging community that believes all people (like all flavors) are created equal. Everyone needs people who have faith in them. Everyone also needs ice cream. And here at Alphabet Scoop, your frozen treat is one more step toward justice and sprinkles for all. 🍦❤️🍦 4 days to go...we can’t wait to welcome everyone at our Grand Reopening this Saturday, April 14th. #IceCreamOnAMission #AlphabetScoopNY #IceCream #AlphabetCity #NYCeats #IceCreamTime

A post shared by Alphabet Scoop NY Ice Cream (@alphabetscoopny) on Apr 10, 2018 at 12:27pm PDT

Their hours:

Sunday: 1-11 p.m.
Monday - Tuesday: CLOSED
Wednesday - Friday: 2-11 p.m.
Saturday: 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Volunteers on a mission to help reinvigorate Alphabet Scoop on 11th Street

Volunteers on a mission to help reinvigorate Alphabet Scoop on 11th Street

In 2002, the Father’s Heart Ministries launched Alphabet Scoop adjacent to the church on 11th Street between Avenue A and Avenue B.

The seasonal ice cream shop hires and trains at-risk teens from the neighborhood ... and provides them with mentoring.

A group of volunteers are now working to give Alphabet Scoop "a boost that it needs." A crowdfunding campaign is underway, with a goal of raising $70,000 by the end of the year. (They've already reached the halfway point.)

The volunteers include an architect, a contractor, a financial analyst, a lawyer and project managers. They want to redesign and renovate the space and help with business operations and financial management.

Per their campaign info:

Alphabet Scoop has yet to be profitable and has relied on the financial support of the Father's Heart Ministries to keep the lights on.

The mission is incredible but there are three main problems:
• The business is undercapitalized and the store has not been properly maintained or renovated in over a decade.
• An undifferentiated brand limits awareness and the ability to reach a wider audience.
• The lack of systems has led to operational inefficiencies.

They are hoping for an April 2018 Alphabet Scoop relaunch.

You can find more about the campaign here.

Art and ice cream tonight at Alphabet Scoop

Alphabet Scoop has its official season opening today at 543 E. 11th St. between Avenue A and Avenue B.

Here's more about the seasonal ice cream shop, operated by the Father's Heart Ministries next door:

Alphabet Scoop is a job and life skills program for teens. The program is designed to prepare teens with the skills needed to advance in their school and work endeavors. Teenagers receive classroom instruction and work under a shift supervisor in the retail store.

Alphabet Scoop open for the season on 11th Street

In case you are out shopping for ice cream on this 80-degree day... Alphabet Scoop, run by The Father's Heart Ministries next door, is now open for the season at 543 E. 11th St. between Avenue A and Avenue B...

And here's more about them:

Alphabet Scoop is a job and life skills program for teens. The program is designed to prepare teens with the skills needed to advance in their school and work endeavors. Teenagers receive classroom instruction and work under a shift supervisor in the retail store.

We recruit and screen mentors to work with the teens, offering friendship, guidance, support and encouragement aimed at developing the competence and character of the mentee. We belong to the Mentoring Partnership of New York. Every time you buy our ice cream, you are helping a teen remain in a teaching and nurturing environment and off the streets.

They are open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. today.

And upcoming on May 12...

Alphabet Scoop has reopened on East 11th Street

The seasonal ice cream shop near Avenue B has reopened after a lengthy delay ...

Back on March 19, the store's Facebook page noted the following:

Alphabet Scoop's spring reopening will be delayed due to the need to repair the steps to the store. We had an engineer examine them and they cannot be used until they are either repaired or replaced. They are the original steps, created in 1867 when the building was erected. Please pray that the project will move along quickly.

They finally got those new stairs... and they were just able to reopen last weekend...





They'll be open weekends only this fall... Per their Facebook page: "Already the Pumpkin Spice and Salted Caramel are big hits as well as a long-time favorite, Pistachio! $5.00 for a pint!"

The Father’s Heart Ministries runs the shop that employs at-risk youth in the neighborhood. (You can read an article about it at The Villager here.)

Photos by Shawn Chittle

Alphabet Scoop still closed, waiting for steps to be repaired

Over on East 11th Street near Avenue B, Alphabet Scoop remains closed. The seasonal ice cream shop was to open back in the spring...

Back on March 19, the store's Facebook page noted the following:

Alphabet Scoop's spring reopening will be delayed due to the need to repair the steps to the store. We had an engineer examine them and they cannot be used until they are either repaired or replaced. They are the original steps, created in 1867 when the building was erected. Please pray that the project will move along quickly.

Ugh! Still no word from the engineers regarding replacing or repairing Alphabet Scoop steps! It sure feels like ice cream weather!

— Alphabet Scoop (@ABCscoop) April 9, 2013

There were some hopeful signs via Twitter...

Engineers' report in, drawings prepared, permits being drawn up, contact with NYC Landmarks and Preservation and... http://t.co/29W4M2dzdq

— Alphabet Scoop (@ABCscoop) May 6, 2013

The job (of replacing the store's steps) is out for bid! Yay!

— Alphabet Scoop (@ABCscoop) June 19, 2013

Alphabet Scoop was still closed last night... and the sign remains on the stairs...



However, according to the DOB, the city just approved the plan to replace the stoop on Tuesday. The plans were filed on May 21.

The Father’s Heart Ministries runs the shop that employs at-risk youth in the neighborhood. (You can read an article about it at The Villager here.)