BUCYRUS — Baker’s Pizza Sports Shack has purchased the Daily Scoop across North Sandusky Avenue with plans to convert it into a pick-up and drive-through facility for the restaurant.
Owner Breck Baker said with the increase in business, especially on the weekends, it just made sense to move take-out orders from the south side of the 224 N. Sandusky Ave. establishment to another location.
“We really wanted to get our pick-up and delivery business away from Baker’s and just keep the restaurant here,” Baker said. “I’ve always wanted to do more stuff here with the pizza concept, like brick-oven style, and offer more to our customers.”
Daily Scoop owners Joyce and Tommie Rarick, who are retiring after 20 years in business, had been looking for a buyer for the ice cream stand. But, ironically, it was their realtor, Kim Goyer, who first notified Baker.
It was a win-win situation.
Tommie Rarick retired in 2018 after 36 years with the Bucyrus Post of the Ohio Highway Patrol. His wife, a retired teacher with Marion City Schools, wanted to call it quits too and spend more time traveling.
“It helps them, and it helps us,” said Joyce Rarick, whose busy shop known for its soft serve and Toft’s brand ice cream would have been entering its 20th season. “It will also allow us to spend time with our children and grandchildren.”
“When Tommie and Joyce asked for my help in selling their property, I said this is the perfect opportunity to hand pick the new owners,” Goyer said. “I am so grateful we were able to keep this great property in local hands.”
Baker, who also operates the Old 30 BBQ in town, plans to install vented hoods above the ovens in the Daily Scoop and expand the kitchen. For the time being, ice cream will still be sold, he said, but on a limited basis.
The building will be converted into a drive-through facility, with online ordering available. Baker said he hopes to draw boat traffic from Lake Erie during the summer months, especially on Sunday evenings.
Baker, who also purchased the Bucyrus Diner next door to Baker’s, plans to tear down that building and put in a much-needed parking lot.
The restaurant, which opened in 1998, is known for its specialty pizzas, subs and salads. It has operated from its current location for 14 years.