Click here for Greater Long Island newsletters. Click here to download the iPhone app. Or follow Greater Moriches on Instagram.
There’s a new scoop shop in Shirley — and for some, it might feel like déjà vu.
Jena Termini opened What’s The Scoop? last month at 60 Surrey Circle, the same spot where she ran Ben and Jen’s Homemade Ice Cream from 1999 to 2003. In the years between, the space was home to a Ralph’s Famous Italian Ices.
Now, she’s back — and hoping to once again become Shirley’s go-to ice cream shop.
“Business has been going great,” Termini said. “People are very happy to see us in the community and they recognize me.”
How it happened
When Termini first opened the shop in 1999, she had a newborn at home — a big reason why she eventually decided to close.
Now, years later, her children are scooping ice cream alongside her.
Termini recalled how customers remember her knack for catering to their children’s desires, like serving sprinkles at the bottom of cups and helping create beautiful memories.
She’s carried that spirit into her new shop, now serving dozens of high-quality ice cream flavors and a wide variety of desserts.
If you go
Courtesy photos from What’s the Scoop?
The most popular items on the menu are Termini’s homemade ice cream flavors, including rainbow cookie, cookies and cream, carrot cake, chocolate peanut butter fudge, mint chip and cookie monster — a blue ice cream packed with chocolate chips and Oreos.
The shop also offers gluten-free, non-dairy vegan, and no-sugar-added options.
“My biggest form of flattery is when people sample the flavors and their eyes light up,” Termini said. “I cannot ask for anything greater and it’s the greatest amount of satisfaction that one can receive. That’s what I love.”
Other desserts include Italian ices, vanilla and chocolate soft serve, ice cream cakes and pies, chocolate and candy by the pound, and Dole Whip soft serve — with watermelon and pineapple flavors available this month.
“We use a very high butterfat content ingredient and I’m a firm believer of what you put in, you will get out,” Termini said. “If I’m making the strawberry flavor, I put in 14 pounds of fresh strawberries. I don’t buy strawberry puree. If I’m making coffee, I use coffee. I don’t use a coffee flavored liquid. So I am using the best ingredients and that’s what makes me stand out as far as quality.”
There’s also plenty of parking and a fenced-in lot where kids can play or relax on park benches.
Termini said she’s focused on listening to her customers and improving every day.
“We were a staple in the community and we hope to be again,” Termini said. “And I think we’re headed in that direction.”
Top: Jena Termini at her new What’s The Scoop? ice cream shop at 60 Surrey Circle in Shirley. (courtesy)
