Ocean and Beach-Inspired Ice-Cream Shop Opens Its Second Location

Scoops La Jolla, a beloved ice cream shop that has served as a wonderful hangout spot for both local and visiting ocean lovers for the past six years, has opened the doors to its second location, this time at 1025 Prospect Street #130 in La Jolla, California. Having designed the interior of their first location, nestled between a charming neighborhood and the ocean, we embarked on the design of their new beach-inspired ice cream shop, preserving the marine theme we captured in their logo.

The store offers its customers artisan ice cream and delicious crepes, wrapping it all in a memorable experience. Looking to preserve their role as a meeting hub for friends, family and tourists, Scoops La Jolla sought an interior that would reflect the beauty of the coastal surroundings and the easygoing spirit that accompanies it.

In order to achieve this goal, we followed the same recipe we used for the first Scoops La Jolla location: a simple chromatic combination of blue and white, and the use of natural materials that would warm up the cold tones and suggest the relaxed and carefree ambiance of the store. By repeating this formula, we created a familiar interior that contributes to the store’s brand recognition and captures its unique attributes through the shop’s interior design.

We started with a neutral white background that contributed to the luminosity and happy, open vibe of the space. While we kept things interesting by using different materials and textures, from bricks to stone to painted walls, we retained the white throughout the store. The furniture and counters complemented this setup, creating an interior where light bounces from all angles.

Against this background, we built elements that brought the ocean inside. A fish-scale pattern in gradient tones, reminiscent of both ocean waves and trickling drops of ice cream, stands as a focal point and as a background for an oversized and simplified logo of the store. The same pattern is reiterated on a larger scale on the wall behind the seating area, bearing the store’s slogan.

These different blue tones are repeated in other elements of the design, such as the dark blue chairs, the pale blue wainscoting, the conic light pendants, and even a blue shirt casually hanging on the wall. Framing these elements and defining the lines of the interior, wooden details bring in an informal air. The blackboard-style menu ties in with this look.

We found the idea of a large wall graphic that represents the spirit of the company to be the perfect finishing touch, and we gave it an abundance of space to create a dramatic impact.

Seen from the outside, the store is cozy and inviting, with a cohesive design that is well integrated into the coastal area with its warm beach tones and blue hues. The same fish-scale pattern present in the facade design of the first Scoops La Jolla store contributes to an easily recognizable image. The wooden details extend to the plank signage above the door.

We paid close attention to the store’s lighting. A combination of recessed lights, pendants, and track lighting illuminates every detail of the interior, creating a bright and refreshing ambiance. The blue ceiling with a criss-cross wood pattern emphasizes the placement of the serving counter, evoking the blue skies above the ocean and giving the impression of a large illuminating structure descending over the kitchen.

The logo reappears on the rounded corner of the counter base, ensuring that customers familiarize themselves with it.

The lighting fixtures are simple, yet fun. The shapes are reminscent of ice-cream cones and large, mouthwatering spoons of ice-cream.

The store’s slogan, flanked by two rows of ice-cream stools, is incorporated into a tiled section of the floor, serving as an excellent spot for photo enthusiasts. By creating this area, we aimed to encourage customers to take pictures, share them, and perhaps even start a trend that would increase foot traffic.

The large wall graphic that repeats the slogan also serves more than just an aesthetic role. It is an ideal selfie wall that encourages customers to capture memorable moments and share them, promoting engagement and enhancing the store’s appeal.

The colors, patterns, logo, and overall laid-back interior design are reflected in the ice-cream packaging we created for Scoops La Jolla. This simple yet effective design is the final element in a comprehensive package meant to create a memorable, disinctive brand.

Beach-inspired ice-cream shop design: Mindful Design Consulting
All photos: Mindful Design Consulting

If you are thinking to open a new business or are in the process of rebranding and remodeling your existing business, contact us to get a free consultation from Mindful Design Consulting. Click HERE to price your project design.