Gig Harbor has a new ice cream and candy shop. Couple of Scoops began with the idea that ice cream brings people together and fosters the good in people. The shop has a mission to create meaningful employment opportunities for individuals with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities while fostering while fostering a workplace where everyone feels belonging, contributes, and thrives.
With a goal of creating an employment opportunity for his autistic daughter Molly, owner Jim Ciaciuch opened Couple of Socks in Tacoma Mall nearly four years ago. “When we opened Couple of Socks, we hired nine people with special needs who have done all the work at the store since we opened,” said Ciaciuch. “Then, about a year ago, I had an inkling to do something more and I was spiritually led to the idea of an ice cream store.”
Using locally-sourced ice cream and several national candy suppliers, Couple of Scoops uses the same business model as Couple of Socks where employees split the proceeds from the store at the end of the year. “I learned in the sock store, instead of just giving someone a job, you’re giving them an opportunity to grow, be nurtured and to blossom,” said Ciaciuch.
To that end, employees at Couple of Scoops are expected to do everything because they are capable of doing everything. That means cleaning the store, scooping the ice cream, and running the cash register is a shared responsibility among the 20+ staff. According to Ciaciuch, “Society limits people like Molly out of the gate. I’m the opposite. I want Molly and her friends to be able to do everything.”
Located in the former GameStop on Olympic Drive NW, Couple of Scoops opens at noon seven days a week. They believe in serving more than just fresh, premium ice cream and scoops of bagged candy. They believe in serving the Gig Harbor community and the visitors that the beautiful city attracts.
“I really think Gig Harbor is going to embrace our business,” said Ciaciuch. “Every scoop we serve is a reminder that inclusion makes life a little sweeter.”
For Additional Information
Couple of Scoops
coupleofscoops.com
BY LYNN CASTLE