For the past two months An Extra Scoop ice cream parlor has been creating extra special moments for the Villa Rica community. Founded by parents Scott and Sandra Campbell, the shop not only offers rich and creamy treats, but an environment where everyone, especially those with special needs, can feel accepted and loved.
It’s easy to see the couple’s love for community by their involvement with both their sons’ interests and abilities. Their eldest son, Jacob, loves football and dreams of playing for the NFL, practicing diligently at his middle school. Scott and Sandra love how kind and smart he is, and say so proudly on their website. Their youngest, Luke, shares his brother’s qualities and loves to make friends, and that fact got Sandra thinking.
Since Luke was born and diagnosed with Down Syndrome, Scott and Sandra have made it a point to create environments where their son, now eleven, can be accepted and appreciated for who he is.
“I started with the idea of opening a coffee shop. Somewhere where Luke can hang out and eventually work,” Sandra shares.
The concept eventually evolved when the owners of 64 Fairfield Road put the unit up for lease earlier this year. It was the perfect place to set up shop, especially since it was previously an ice cream shop and already contained the equipment needed for a new business to hit the ground running.
And hit the ground running they did! The Campbells made it a point to make the shop as colorful and meaningful as possible – down to the colors and logo. Inspired to raise awareness about Down Syndrome, the pair incorporated the Down Syndrome key colors – blue and yellow – into the triple-stacked ice cream scoop. The three scoops are also a nod to Trisomy 21, the technical term for Down Syndrome.
“We want to bring awareness to children with special needs everywhere, [both] through our shop and our family,” Sandra asserts. “We want to create an environment where everyone is welcome, and we want to be able to employ people with special needs, as well.”
In the meantime, An Extra Scoop will be serving delicious treats everyone can enjoy. Already the shop will be a vendor at Highview Church’s Fall Fest on October 26th and will also be hosting weekly Storytime for Children on Wednesdays in October.
One storytime session featured a book written about Luke by his speech therapist, titled “Let’s Learn About Luke.” All the stories that will be read will help highlight Down Syndrome experiences.
Located about a mile before the front gate entrance to Fairfield Plantation, An Extra Scoop not only offers cold treats, but serves warm ones as well. Be on the lookout for hot, seasonal menu additions on their website, Facebook, or Instagram.
Their most popular ice cream flavors include Moose Tracks (no sugar added), Superman, Sea Turtle, and Michigan Pothole, with seasonal, non-ice cream surprises like Pumpkin Pie a la mode and hot chocolate in the mix. An Extra Scoop also offers a gluten-free cone option and dairy-free Raspberry Sorbet.
Be sure to check out An Extra Scoop on 64 Fairfield Road in Villa Rica to experience all twenty-four of their ice cream flavors! The shop opens Friday through Wednesday from 2:00 P. M. to 8:00 P. M. They are closed on Thursdays.
