Inside Scoop on New Ice Cream Parlour
Lovers of ice cream will be delighted that Gelato Henley has opened The Scoop Room, an ice cream parlour in the former Lawlor’s bakery shop on Duke Street last Thursday. The shop was officially opened by the Queen (aka Jo Bausor) and Bertie Slippers conjured up Jubilee balloon hats, dogs, flowers, swords for customers.
Ryan Barlow and his partner Katrina Minoletti started Gelato Henley in their kitchen at home in 2014 before moving the production to Henley Self Storage in 2019. Gelato Henley, make a delicious range of ice creams made using an authentic Italian recipe. Gelato has no eggs, more milk, less cream and is created at a higher temperature than normal ice cream which makes it creamier and less icy.
The Scoop Room will offer Gelato Henley best selling flavours including Honeys of Henley Honeycomb, Strawberries and Cream, Salted Caramel, Milo and Malteser and sorbets such as Mango and Wild Berry. Plus there will be some ‘After Dark’ (alcohol) flavours including Pimms, Strawberry and Mint, Aloha Sorbet and Malaga (Rum & Raisin). You can choose to have your gelato in a waffle cone, waffle boat or tub. Prices start from £3.75 for a single cone.
To go with your gelato, the shop will also be offering waffles and Dutch Poffertjes mini pancakes along with a selection of teas, coffees (served with all milks and syrups) and soft drinks including a new green ‘diet’ cola.
Ryan and Katrina were delighted to welcome Brigitte Dowsett who joined the business last September. Brigitte will be concentrating on the Sales & Marketing and Ryan and Katrina will be continuing with the production side of the business. Marisa Jaymes (Katrina’s Niece) will be the new Shop Manager.
Brigitte said, “Scooping is always what we wanted to do as it showcases the product and the display cabinet makes the gelato look so beautiful. It’s also the tastiest and best way to eat it. We never want to sell through a supermarket – only directly to our customers. We shall be regularly changing the flavours in the shop as we continue to produce different varieties. We’ve made a special Eton Mess for the Queen’s Jubilee.”
The shop will be open all year round, six days a week in the summer (closed on Mondays) and five days the rest of the year (closed Mondays & Tuesdays) from 10.30am till 5pm most days and open till 8pm at the weekends.
The small shop lends itself to this new business. Brigitte comments, “As they say, you eat with your eyes and this shop is front loaded. When you walk past you can’t help but look inside. It’s a perfect venue as you can see exactly what there is if your walk or drive past and there’s so much footfall on Duke Street. It’s a brilliant location and this end of town is more food outlets.”
Customers can also pick up the large tubs of 900ml from the new shop or you can choose to take a large half and half tub to take home and share.
For more details go to https://www.gelatohenley.co.uk/
