Blaine businessman Steve Hagen thought the community should have its own ice cream shop, so he's decided to open one himself.

Hagen, who operates the mail shipping company Hagen's of Blaine Inc., plans to have his ice cream shop, We've Got the Scoop, open in August. It'll be on Peace Portal Drive in downtown Blaine, next to Tony's Just a Bite restaurant. Once open, Hagen plans to have it open year-round, also serving other items such as espresso and milkshakes.

With the ice cream, Hagen plans on having 12 flavors as well as equipment that converts regular ice cream to soft-serve. He believes it's a good time to open in downtown Blaine, given the increase in business activity.

"It's such a beautiful part of town, and with these new openings like the (Black Forest) steakhouse, more of the public will be drawn to this area," Hagen said.

Reach DAVE GALLAGHER at dave.gallagher@bellinghamherald.com or call 715-2269. Visit his business blog online at blogs.bellinghamherald.com/business or get updates on Twitter at twitter.com/BhamHeraldBiz.