An iconic ice cream shop in Brooklyn faces eviction this summer, stirring distress among neighbors and long-time customers who have watched their community change rapidly due to gentrification. Anthony “Tony” Fongyit, 74, has owned Scoops Ice Cream Parlor on Flatbush Avenue in Prospect Lefferts Gardens since May 1984. For nearly 40 years, Scoops has been a cherished establishment, known for its vegan ice cream, vegan food, and various groceries.

Fighting for Survival

As the possible eviction date looms in August, Fongyit is determined to find a way to keep his business alive. “This is where I’m at right now, trying to get a lease,” he said. The ongoing gentrification has seen many local stores suffer due to rising rents. “There’s a lot of changes in the community. Gentrification is going on. A lot of stores are taking a hit right now where the rent is going up very high.”

Residents describe Scoops as a “landmark” and a vital part of the community. Erna, a 66-year-old neighbor, emphasized its importance: “It’s a pillar in the community. In this community, we need something like this. A lot of people – multicultural – everybody comes here,” she said, lamenting that the eviction signals a broader change in the neighborhood. “Of course it [signals change]. It’s most definitely gentrification, and it’s going to be a change. That will be taken away from us. That’s not good.”

Community Support and Advocacy

Scoops’ struggles began in earnest in 2015 when the building was purchased by a new landlord. Four years later, the new owners attempted to evict Fongyit without explanation. However, public outcry allowed him to remain by paying rent on a month-by-month basis. The recent eviction order in May prompted a Change.org petition, urging the landlord to let Scoops stay. The petition garnered over 3,200 signatures within days.

Jay, a 43-year-old customer, expressed the community’s sentiment: “This is one of the last few gems we have on Flatbush, that we need to preserve. You know someplace you have those historic buildings – this is a historic establishment in the community. He pushes healthy eating in an underserved community. He’s been here for 40 years,” Jay said, referring to Fongyit and Scoops as “a huge staple in the community. These are the people we need to protect.”

Kasien Thompson, a 60-year-old regular at Scoops, suspects the landlord’s motives are financially driven. “If they are trying to get him out, then it seems like they want someone else to get the place and raise the rent,” Thompson said, adding that Fongyit shouldn’t give up easily. “He shouldn’t leave, he should fight.”

A Call to Action

As Fongyit battles to secure a new lease, the community’s support remains unwavering. The situation at Scoops reflects a larger struggle faced by many long-standing businesses in gentrifying neighborhoods. The outcome of this battle will not only determine the future of Scoops Ice Cream Parlor but also signify the community’s resilience in preserving its cultural and historical identity.