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With blazing outside temps, now is the perfect time to check out one of Little Rock’s most popular summertime spots, Le Pops. Honestly, any time of year is ideal for one of their scratch-made popsicles.
Co-owners and husband-and-wife team of Collier and Ashley East took over the shop in 2017 and have helped maintain the shop’s popularly.
“I did information technology work for 16 years and was ready for something new. The Le Pops opportunity came up, and I thought I would be a great fit. It was an opportunity to work for myself and be my own boss. People always say, ‘you don’t know how hard you can work until you work for yourself’, and that is absolutely true. I’ve always enjoyed cooking, and Le Pops has given me the opportunity to cook, create and be artistic,” says Collier East.
It has also afforded East the opportunity to give back to his community, especially over the past several months during the pandemic.
“We, along with generous people and businesses like AR Hospice, The Janet Jones Company, Summit Church, Pleasant Valley Church of Christ, Dogwood Homes, and Debbie Teague, have purchased pops for some of the people who have worked so hard through the pandemic. We have delivered pops to the UAMS emergency room, ICU, Environmental Services, Nutrition Services, and Triage as well as nursing home employees, St. Vincent employees in Little Rock and Hot Springs, and have taken the truck to drive-by birthday parties. We also delivered a basket full of pops, which were purchased by a Heights family, to the Heights Kroger workers.”
He continues, “I also like to think we were able to help people by staying open through the pandemic. I think Le Pops gives a sense of familiarity and normalcy to kids–whose lives were flipped upside down–and adults through this strange and difficult time. We had overwhelmingly positive support from parents who needed an outlet for the kids’ energy, an after-homeschool treat, or just a straight-up bribe for behaving or just getting through the day.”
And bribes come in popular flavors like Caramel, Chocolate Marvel, Classic Vanilla, and Strawberry, all of which are permanent fixtures on Le Pops’ menu. Other options, like Banana Pudding, Cookies ‘n Cream, Blueberry Cheesecake, Milk & Cookies, and Watermelon Lemonade rotate in and out every few weeks. East also has a few other summer options up his sleeve.
“We are working on some Arkansas peaches, blueberries, blackberries and more strawberries. Our newest flavor, Strawberry Cheesecake, was a hit. Be on the lookout for Peaches & Cream, Blueberry Peach, Blackberries & Cream, Strawberry Lemonade, Blackberry Mango, Blueberry Lavender, and more. I’ve also been working on a Buttermilk pop, so that one should make an appearance this summer as well.”
As someone who has visited the Le Pops shop no less than 10 times over the past couple of months, I can tell you it is impossible to leave without a smile on your face.
And happy kids.
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