NEW JERSEY - For more than two decades, Cool Scoops has been a beloved and unmistakable landmark in North Wildwood. With its bright neon, classic car booths, and walls dripping with 1950s memorabilia, the ice cream parlor became a cherished piece of Wildwood nostalgia for generations of visitors.
NEW JERSEY - For more than two decades, Cool Scoops has been a beloved and unmistakable landmark in North Wildwood. With its bright neon, classic car booths, and walls dripping with 1950s memorabilia, the ice cream parlor became a cherished piece of Wildwood nostalgia for generations of visitors.Now, after completing their twenty-fourth season, owners Paul and Lori Russo have announced their plans to retire.
The story of Cool Scoops began in early 2002 when the Russos purchased the former Abree Motel on New Jersey Avenue. They immediately saw the potential in the first-floor retail space and began transforming it into a retro-themed ice cream shop that would capture the Doo-Wop spirit of the island.
The space became a spectacle of chrome, neon, and jukebox sounds, famous for its booths shaped like classic cars—which, as many patrons will tell you, made the ice cream taste even better.
In their announcement, the Russos said the decision to retire was a difficult one, noting, "so many of our customers have become our friends."
The couple is now looking for a new owner to purchase the building and the business, someone who will "love it all as much as we do" and carry the torch for future generations.
While the search for a buyer begins, fans of the iconic shop can look forward to at least one more season. The Russos have announced they plan to reopen for the 2026 season on February 13, joking that "everyone deserves Sam’s Pizza and Cool Scoops."
The upcoming transition marks the end of an era for one of North Wildwood's most iconic small businesses, but for now, visitors can look forward to one more summer of enjoying a scoop inside the classic car booths.
