Business & Tech

Glover Park Residents Bemoan Loss of Local Ice Cream Store, Call for Boycott

A twitter campaign under the hashtag #SaveMaxs is calling for a boycott of Rocklands Barbeque.

Loyal customers are rallying around Glover Park ice cream shop Max's Best Ice Cream as news comes that its lease is being terminated in favor of allowing Rocklands Barbeque to expand into that storefront.

  • READ: Max's Ice Cream Lease Being Terminated

Rocklands sent out a press release Monday telling its customers that they wish no ill will toward Max's and were merely taking advantage of an offer from the landlord to expand.

"Since we opened more than 22 years ago, we’ve been barbequing for our customers in a space about the size of a one-bedroom apartment. We are sorry to see Max’s Best Ice Cream go; we’ve always enjoyed having Max’s Best as a neighbor," wrote Rocklands owner John Snedden.

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  • READ: Rocklands Confirms Expansion into Max's Ice Cream Space

Still many fans of Max's are upset about the sudden turn of events. Whether commenting on an article on Georgetown Patch, venting on the neighborhood listserv, starting a Facebook group or taking to twitter, customers and fans of Max's are not letting their favorite ice cream shop go quietly into the night.

On Patch articles, comments have trickled in as news of Max's lease termination and Rocklands expansion made it through the community.

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"We've been customers for 20 years and this is outrageous! Seriously, pushing Max out of business is how Rocklands intends to stay in business? I will picket Rocklands and urge others to boycott their business. Max and his family have been a constant in a changing neighborhood. This should not be the final word. Let Rocklands MOVE to bigger space elsewhere," Martin commented on Georgetown Patch.

Neighbors are talking about organizing to help Max's either extend his lease or maybe find a new space locally.

"We visited Max's last Friday, and Max was just cut up over this. He is a staple of the neighborhood and has a legacy and product that is undeniable. I ask people to take reasonable action to make their desires known to the community and surrounding business and media outlets; I certainly intend to. Max's needs to stay," James wrote.

Though many have expressed frustration, not everyone sees Rocklands as the cause of Max's woes.

"I understand that people have loyalty to Max's but targeting Rocklands as the bad guy is completely misguided.... Rocklands was approached with an opportunity to expand their business, they didn't formulate an evil plot to oust Max's. Let's not forget Rocklands is a homegrown company who has done a lot for the Glover Park community too," wrote Rob Richards.

Then of course on Twitter, 140 characters leave little room for nuanced arguments about whether or not Rocklands is to blame.

Finally, there's a Facebook page set up to help supporters organize: https://www.facebook.com/SaveMaxsBestIceCream. The page challenges customers to contact the building owner and object to the decision to force Max's out of its shop.

Do you think a boycott will make a difference? What might be a solution that works for both Max's and Rocklands? Tell us in the comments.

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