BAR HARBOR, Maine – In a move that blends good memories with sweet cravings, former President Joe Biden has traded the Oval Office for an ice cream counter, inaugurating “Joe’s Scoops” in this quaint sleepy seaside town. The shop, nestled between lobster shacks and antique stores, opened its doors Saturday to a crowd of locals, tourists, and a few Secret Service agents nursing brain freezes.

Biden, 82, beamed behind the register in a striped apron, declaring the venture a “return to basics.” “Folks, after 50 years in politics, I’ve learned the real secret to unity: vanilla swirl with chocolate chips,” he anounced, referencing his well-documented affinity for frozen treats. The menu features flavors like “Build Back Butterscotch”,  “No Malarkey Mint”, “Big Beautiful Orange, “No Joke Smoke” and “Here’s The Deal”. All proceeds from sales will be donated to local senior centers and for immigrant legal support—a nod to his post-White House philanthropy.

Residents are divided. “It’s great for tourism,” said lobsterman Hank Wilkins, 65. “But does he scoop too slow?” Others speculate on political undertones: “Is this a soft launch for 2028?” joked barista Ellie Thorne. Biden dismissed such notions, insisting, “I’m just here for the cones, not the campaigns.”

The shop’s grand opening included free samples and a ribbon-cutting with oversized waffle cones. As seagulls circled overhead, Biden reflected speaking to the local crowd: “Folks, In Washington everything’s rocky road. Here, it’s just delicious.” Critics call it a “meltdown” from power, but for Bar Harbor, it’s a swirly mixed reception with a sweet taste.