Drip coffee shop plans to open Five Points gelato shop

Five Points is getting a little sweeter.

The owner of Drip coffee shop plans to open a hand-crafted gelato, or Italian ice cream, shop adjacent to his Five Points location on Saluda Avenue.

Sean McCrossin received approval Tuesday from the Columbia Board of Zoning Appeals for a parking variance in order to open the shop, which will serve frozen treats.

He anticipates the shop, which he let his 8-year-old daughter name “Scoopy-Doo,” will be open by next spring.

There will be a small retail space, which will sell products like T-shirts, mugs and coffee brewing kits.

The gelato shop will help Five Points retailers in many aspects, McCrossin said, such as attracting more families to the area. People want a place to feel a connection, he said.

And the gelato shop will be perfect for those already out shopping.

“You’re already in the mood to treat yourself, an ice cream is a great way to complement that,” he said.

This story was originally published September 10, 2013 at 4:09 PM with the headline "Drip coffee shop plans to open Five Points gelato shop."