Islands Tropical Ice Cream has rebranded to Tropics Ice Cream & Jerk and expanded its menu, according to a post on the outlet’s Facebook page.
“Islands Tropical Cafe is now Tropics Ice Cream & Jerk,” the Facebook post reads. “We still serve the renowned York Castle Caribbean Ice cream but we’ve expanded our popular Jamaican patty line up, and upgraded our smoothie, and jerk chicken menus. And yes we do offer Jamaican patties by the case! Take out and delivery available at tropicsicecream.com, or call 301-589-2138 to place your order.”
After being rejected for a Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP) loan in March 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic took hold, Islands Tropical Ice Cream owner Kayla Stone launched a GoFundMe campaign to save the shop. The campaign went viral on social media and triggered an outpour of local support, yielding nearly $33,000 in donations within 48 hours. Local businesses reached out to offer help, including Amber Chaney of Chaney Communications, who hosted a socially distanced ice cream social last August.
Stone assumed ownership of the shop from her uncle Pierre in June, according to Washington Business Journal. “I’m very grateful for the way that it was handed to me,” Ms. Stone told WBJ last July. “As a young person, I feel like I’m able to be creative and do what needs to be done.”
“Chinatown Ice Cream Cone 2” by LabyrinthX-2 is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0