Dishin’ up scoops and smiles

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San Juana Rico, left, and Ray Patel scoop up ice cream to serve to a customer at Café 2 Scoops, located on South Jackson. In addition to ice cream treats, the shop also offers coffee-based drinks. Progress photo by Mary Beth Scallon

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August 31, 2010

Mary Beth Scallon Jacksonville Daily Progress The Jacksonville Daily Progress Tue Aug 31, 2010, 06:15 PM CDT

JACKSONVILLE — I scream, you scream, we all scream for ... cotton candy, cinnamon, cake batter.

What?

Oh, yeah, then there’s vanilla, strawberry and chocolate. Or sweet cream, strawberry shortcake and double dark chocolate — all homemade.

At Café 2 Scoops, located in the Southside Bank shopping center on South Jackson, ice cream fresh from the mixer in the back of the store waits for customers who can pick from a variety of flavors.

Owner Ray Patel said he opened the store because he saw a market and a need.

“I heard Baskin-Robbins used to be here years ago,” Patel said, “but there hasn’t been a place to get ice cream other than soft serve in a long time.”

The 25-year-old entrepreneur said the most popular flavors include peanut butter and double dark chocolate, but customers also like banana.

“Made from real bananas,” he said.

The homemade concoctions are served up in traditional bowls or cones, or customers can take their pick of cones dipped in chocolate and coated with either peanuts or Heath Bars.

Toppings for the offerings include assorted candy or cookie crumbles or nuts.

Other treats include brownies and strawberry shortcake.

The store also offers gourmet coffee blends, including blended coffee drinks, lattes, espresso and flavored grinds.

Patel is also part owner of both Subway stores in Jacksonville, along with his father, Mike Patel.

The family migrated to America in 1980, and currently live in Tyler. They own several businesses.

While many hotels and motels in America are being bought and operated by the Patel name, Patel said the name does not necessarily mean all Patels are related.

“The name ‘Patel’ in India is like the name ‘Smith’ in America,” he explained. “Most (Patels) own hotels and motels because they are not as much work as a restaurant.”

He said he works most hours the restaurant is open, when he is not attending classes at the University of Texas at Tyler, where he is finishing up a degree in marketing, with a business major.

He plans on doing more business in Jacksonville, including the possibility of opening a steakhouse.

“We want to help Jacksonville grow,” he said.

With the three restaurants, Patel said he employs about 25 people, which naturally contributes to the city’s economy.

In addition to the Subway stores in Jacksonville, Patel said he and his father are considering opening one in New Summerfield.

After four months in operation, business at Café 2 Scoops is gradually picking up, and Patel said although he has no definite plans to open another, he might consider the possibly.

“Maybe in Rusk,” he said.

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