Exploring Life & Business with Mel Engel of Alice Scooper’s

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mel Engel.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My husband and I both grew up in the KC area. His work took him to Florida for travel, where we opened our first shop. What we thought would be a fun “side gig” quickly grew in to a busy, successful business. After 3 years, we decided to sell our store in Florida and move it to KC. The new owners re-named the business, so we still remain the only “Alice Scooper’s.” It’s been great having our business in KC where our friends, family and home are located.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Opening our first shop during Covid, left us with a lot of unknowns, but probably grew our business faster, as there were few places that people could go to. I think “going out for ice cream,” gave people a moment of normalcy during those times. Opening our store in Kansas City was filled with delays beyond our control, taking us nearly a year to finally open the doors. Owning your own business is probably never a smooth road, but each bump is a lesson learned that makes moving forward easier the next time.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
We make all of our ice cream in the shop. We do our best to minimize artificial colors or flavors. We are proud to offer something for everyone. We have several gluten free options, and also have non dairy, oatmilk based/vegan options, as well as sugar free/keto options. We have several rotating selections (including our sugar free and vegan options), that give customers something new each time they visit. We also have a full bubble tea menu. We brew all of our teas and use products made from cane sugar, rather than fructose. As we near the end of our first year of business, we have been blessed with many opportunities to participate and support the local community and other small businesses.

Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I’m sure luck has played a part in our success. While you never really know which breaks are the lucky ones, we believe that being an active part of the business, being good to others, and being an active part of our community has only increased those “lucky” opportunities of whose and what paths we have crossed and will cross in the future

Pricing:

• $5-10 per person

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.alicescooperskc.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alicescoopers/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alicescoopers
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/alice-scoopers-kansas-city