An iconic, decades-old Brooklyn ice cream shop faces eviction this summer, leaving neighbors and longtime customers heartbroken in the rapidly gentrifying neighborhood.
“We’ve been here since May 1984, so 40 years,” said Anthony “Tony” Fong-Itt, 74, owner of Scoops Ice Cream Parlor on Flatbush Avenue in Prospect-Lefferts Gardens.
“A lot of people are upset. It’s heartbreaking right now to see the state of this lease,” he told the Post.
After operating for about five years without a formal lease from the owner, Fong It was sued in civil court by his landlord in early May and ordered to vacate the shop within four months.
With the possibility of eviction looming this August, Fong Itt hopes to find a way to continue contributing to the community she’s called home for decades.
“Right now I’m trying to get a lease,” he says. “There’s a lot of change going on in the community. It’s gentrifying. Rents are going up and a lot of businesses are taking a hit.”
Scoops, which serves vegan ice cream as well as vegan dishes and a variety of grocery items, has been described as a Brooklyn “landmark” by long-time residents.
“This place is a pillar of the community,” said neighbor Erna, 66, who has been a Scoops customer for decades.
“This neighborhood needs a facility like this. You know, we have a lot of people, multicultural people coming here,” she said, adding that the evictions are a sign of the rapidly changing times in the neighborhood.
“of course [signals change]”There’s definitely going to be gentrification and there’s going to be change and it’s going to take away from us and that’s not good,” she said.
The Scoops building, where the business had been operating comfortably in Flatbush, was purchased by a new landlord in 2015. Four years later, the new owners tried to evict the Von Itts without explanation. According to EaterHowever, after a huge public outcry, he managed to remain there by paying rent month by month.
Following the eviction order in May, a petition was started on Change.org urging the landlord to allow Scoops to stay, garnering more than 3,200 signatures within days.
“This is one of the few treasured buildings in Flatbush and it needs to be preserved,” said customer Jay, 43. “You know where the historic buildings are? – This is a historic institution in the area.”
“He promotes healthy eating in underserved areas. He’s been here for 40 years,” Jay said, calling Von It and Scoops “a big staple in the community.”
“These are the people we need to protect.”
Cassien Thompson, 60, a regular customer at Scoops, believes the landlord is trying to evict Von Itt and sell the building for a profit. – Without considering how it will impact the local community.
“If they’re trying to get him out, it seems like they want someone else to get the place and raise the rent,” Thompson said, adding that Von Itt shouldn’t give up easily.
“He shouldn’t leave, he should fight.”
The building’s owner could not immediately be reached.
