Twin brothers Natanael and Beniamin Turcu have taken over Scoops Ice Cream Parlour in Aberdeen.
The 21-year-old entrepreneurs, who live in the city centre, will run the Bucksburn-based parlour as a two-man band for the foreseeable after it reopened under their management on Saturday.
It will be open daily from 10am to 10pm and offer a range of sweet treats including waffles, pancakes, crepes, milkshakes and, of course, ice cream.
Natanael and Beniamin received the keys to the premises on Monday January 10 and carried out some interior work which included repainting and purchased a new freezer, tables and seating.
They also decided to expand the food and drink offering from the former owners to include sandwiches and coffee.
‘Anything you do in two comes out twice as good’
The twins, originally from Romania, say their “shared dream has become a reality” in taking on Scoops Ice Cream Parlour as they have always wanted to run a business together.
The parlour is 60 square metres and Natanael and Beniamin are renting it.
Natanael said: “Our story begins with a spontaneous trip to Scotland in March 2018.
“Beniamin and I had dreams and after working towards them tirelessly we have achieved more than we could have ever imagined.
“Now at the age of 21 we can proudly say that we have managed to create our very own business. And we can only grow from here!”
Beniamin added: “We’re both directors at the minute and plan to keep it this way because anything you do in two comes out twice as good.”
Entrepreneurial family
The twins were met with the opportunity after their older brother and fellow hospitality business owner, Samuel Turcu-Georgescu, was asked if he knew anyone willing to take on the parlour.
He immediately put forward Natanael and Beniamin, to which they welcomed the idea with open arms.
Samuel has run The Highlander Bus Cafe on Beach Boulevard, which is known for its tasty combination of international and Scottish cuisine, since October 2020.
“Our brother Samy proposed the idea to us and after a few hours, we decided to take advantage of the opportunity and start our long journey in business,” Natanael said.
“The main reason we wanted to take on Scoops is down to our curiosity to try things that we have never done before.”
Sweet and savoury
The parlour serves up a range of sweet and savoury products for customers to try.
An extensive line-up of sundaes, hot cookie dough, waffles, pancakes, ice cream sandwiches and milkshakes all feature on the menu, as well as sandwiches, teas and coffees.
Delivery (up to a five-mile radius) and takeaway are also available.
The ice cream is sourced from Rizza’s and Arran’s Ice Cream, both award-winning Scottish brands.
Beniamin said: “What we love most about ice cream is that you can combine it with so many things, such as waffles and cookies.
“We’re very excited about the opening. The people around us in the area are so friendly.”
Natanael added: “We want to grow the company according to the requirements and needs of our customers. The most important thing we value is quality not quantity.”
