Ice Cream Shop Scoops Up More Than Just Sweet Treats

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Who doesn't dream of ice cream on a hot summer day?

But an ice cream shop on Liberty Avenue, downtown, has much more to offer.

Co-founders Tom Jamison and Alecia Shipman came up with a concept which allows volunteer servers to raise funds for private or public causes.

"We pick 12 individuals and organizations each month," Jamison says, "and they each get the opportunity to pick from over 100 flavors, and choose on to call their own for an entire month. We do ask each of the dreamers to volunteer several times throughout the week."

Volunteer servers like Megan Johnston get 25 percent of profits from the flavor they choose.

"My dream is my husband and I are raising funds for an adoption," Megan says. "We'd like to adopt a baby. I'm a seasonal dreamer so I'll be here all summer. And my flavor of ice cream will be here all summer."

That would be the "grasshopper pie" -- mint chocolate chip and Oreos. Customers are enthusiastic.

"I got the orange blossom, and it benefits the Animal Rescue League," says Pitt student Nika Simonson.

"I think it's a really good way to bring ice cream to helping people," says Laavy Kumar of CMU. "And everyone loves ice cream."

The once vacant space, formerly the Ritz Camera Center, was made available through the Pop-up Pittsburgh initiative. In May, 2012, the building re-opened to the sweet taste of success.

The first year worked out so well, the owner Jamison signed on for a second.

"My personal dream was to earn a living while helping others," he says. "And this ice cream shop was just a vessel for me to do that."

For more information, log on to: www.dreamcreamicecream.com.

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