After four seasons serving plant-based creemees, scoops and shakes to crowds at Myers Memorial Pool at Winooski’s Landry Park, Offbeat Creemee is moving on. Owner Aisha Bassett announced the news at the end of the business’ regular season in October, citing increased costs.
Offbeat’s prices have only risen twice since Bassett started at the pool in 2021, she said, for a total of 50 cents per serving. But the cost of ingredients has continued to go up across the board, including cups and other paper goods.
“Seeing the park alive, and the diverse community coming together to enjoy it has been beautiful,” Bassett told Seven Days. “But this space is supposed to be for everybody, and it doesn’t feel appropriate for me to be there and raise prices and start to exclude people who can’t afford it.”
Bassett will continue to craft her vegan ice creams — made with a blend of coconut and oat milk — at the Burlington production facility she expanded into last year, which is not open to the public. She’ll wholesale products to local markets and grocery stores, including both locations of Burlington’s City Market, Onion River Co-op, and plans to sell her popular dairy-free fudge, caramel and other toppings. Next summer, she’ll have the capacity to supply as many as five area ice cream stands with Offbeat’s scoops and creemees.
“I’m always open if the right opportunity comes along to collaborate on another scoop shop,” Bassett said, noting that she’d prefer to partner with another business — such as a vegan pizza or burger place — rather than doing it herself.
Offbeat fans have one more weekend to enjoy their favorites at the park: The scoop shop will be open for holiday pie pickup and regular service with a full menu on December 14 and 15.
Updated Wednesday, November 20.
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