Sewickley Confectionery becoming a new Scoops ice cream shop

A new ice cream shop in Sewickley will soon open at a familiar location.

The Sewickley Confectionery along Beaver Street is being remodeled into Scoops.

It is the sixth location for Scoops Pittsburgh founder Mike Collins.

He said Confectionery owner Chris Bichsel recently purchased the building and reached out to him in December about being a new commercial tenant. Collins now rents the space from Bichsel.

“He was looking for a specific type of owner,” Collins said. “I guess he was trying to find somebody that did similar to what he does and find somebody who he felt would be good for Sewickley.”

Bischel did not respond to multiple attempts for comment.

Collins, 47, launched Scoops in Mt. Lebanon in 2000 after learning the business working for Baskin-Robins at the former Parkway Center Mall.

Other locations are in Brookline, Bloomfield, Bellevue and Carnegie.

“All my stores are in neighborhoods,” Collins said. “I don’t go in a mall or a strip mall. Sewickley is exactly the type of place where I try to put stores in so I get the same families, generational-type people. I always have opportunities and 99% of them I say, ‘I’m maxed out’ and not add another store, but this one was unique.”

All Confectionery employees are expected to keep their jobs and Scoops will honor Confectionery gift cards.

Collins said he recently met with the workers, talked about the changes and stressed the need to maintain quality customer service.

“The service makes the difference,” he said. “How you serve it is going to make the ice cream taste better or worse. You’re going to add a negative or a positive (experience) to that ice cream. They seemed excited.”

Ice cream options will increase from about 28 to 42 flavors. One of Scoops’ signature flavors is called Pittsburgh Potholes — thick black tar fudge in chocolate ice cream with chunks of chocolate.

New additions include ice cream cakes and store-made waffle cones.

Collins said he intends to keep the store’s famous gelato, but its cheeses and glass-bottled milk will eventually no longer be carried.

He commended Bichsel for how well he maintained the property and that it just needed a “refresh” to change the business.

“Chris is really a great guy,” Collins said. “He cares about Sewickley a lot. He cares about his customers. He cares about his employees. He cares about the town itself. I have big shoes to fill and hopefully, I can do that.

“We’re not ripping any walls down or floors or ceilings. … It was time for a remodel. It’s a lot of wear and tear when you have a business and a lot of people coming in. I didn’t just want to slap a new name on it.”

An official opening day has not been set.

Collins said he obtained Allegheny County Health Department permits earlier this month and worked with the borough to obtain all necessary approvals and inspections. Opening day was scheduled for Feb. 12.

The Bichsels thanked the community for its support and expressed confidence in Collins via Facebook.

“Over the last 15 years, we have enjoyed serving you, our friends, and neighbors. Thank you for being a part of our ice cream family,” the post said in part. “We have known Mike for a while and knew he would be a good fit for Sewickley’s favorite ice cream store.”

More information about Scoops is available at scoopspittsburgh.com.