Tropics Ice Cream & Jerk has reopened with a revamped hot food menu, according to a post on the shop’s Instagram account.
Since no announcement had been made regarding the temporary closure of the store located at 9324 Georgia Ave. in the Montgomery Hills neighborhood, many believed that the outlet had permanently closed. A sign was placed in the shop’s window several days later, indicating that the shop was closed for refurbishment.
The store is currently offering a buy-one-get-one-free promotion on Jerk Chicken meals until Sunday, July 9. Those who enjoy the heat can get two scoops of ice cream for free if they consume an entire Jerk Chicken meal in one sitting at the shop.
Tropics Ice Cream & Jerk was originally opened as Islands Tropical Cafe by York Castle Ice Cream owner Cal Headley, who sold it to distant cousin Pierre Stone, according to MoCo360. After being rejected for a Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP) loan in March 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic took hold, Stone’s niece Kayla launched a GoFundMe campaign to save the shop, which 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 Rockville-based Chaney Communications, who hosted a socially distanced ice cream social in 2020 with Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-District 8).
Kayla assumed ownership of the shop in June 2020, according to Washington Business Journal. “I’m very grateful for the way that it was handed to me,” Ms. Stone told WBJ. “As a young person, I feel like I’m able to be creative and do what needs to be done.”
Stone rebranded the shop to Tropics Ice Cream & Jerk shortly thereafter, expanding the menu to offer Jamaican patties, smoothies, and jerk chicken.
According to Google, the shop’s operating hours are Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., and closed Saturday.
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