Post Content

Goodies Frozen Custard & Treats Plans to Open Late This Summer in Old Town

There’s almost nothing as tempting as the sound of The Temptations coming from Goodies Frozen Custard & Treats on a hot day in Old Town. On a recent Saturday, though, owner Brandon Byrd kept the music running in his frozen custard truck after selling out for the day.

Incidentally, customers can expect to find Goodies outside the 1930s-era ice house at 200 Commerce Street every Saturday until he formally opens the brick and mortar for business in August. Their schedule is posted on the store’s Instagram page.

“Are you still open?” asked Jackie Worrell, who lives around the corner with her family.

“Sorry, we’re all sold out for the day,” Byrd replied.

Worrell stuck around for a few minutes and told ALXnow that she looks forward to the business opening.

“I think it’s gonna be a great asset to the community and it’s in such a neat building that’s been vacant for so long,” she said.

With his bow tie undone and his cap off, Byrd looked at the future and reflected on his past. The 41-year-old resident of Fort Washington, Maryland, started the business in 2012, and has since sold untold thousands of gallons of frozen custard from his restored 1952 International Harvester Metro Van.

“I’m waiting for a couple more permits, and my goal is to open (at the ice house) within the next two months,” Byrd told ALXnow.

Byrd left behind a lucrative career in marketing. He was born in Alabama, grew up in northern California and initially wanted to be a sports therapist. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin Eau-Clair with a degree in kinesiology, he later got two master’s degrees (in business and kinesiology) and entered into the world of marketing. His credits include stints as the marketing and events director for XXL Magazine in New York City, multicultural marketing manager for Red Bull and Bacardi in Chicago and as an assistant brand manager at Miller Coors.

“When I was in corporate America, the fulfillment didn’t come in the same form as it does now,” Byrd said. “For me, my success was never based on salary. It was never based on a title, but it was based on interaction that I had and the lives I influenced.”

Byrd said the business has taught him patience. There is only one flavor, vanilla, and customers can choose from a myriad of toppings.

“You might have a long line and an indecisive kid who doesn’t know what he wants,” he said. “You can’t be like, ‘Hey, kid, come on, now. You got a line. Hurry up.’ What you do is take a step out of the truck and get to their level and ask, ‘What do you like? Sprinkles? Caramel? What else? You know, I think I have something for you.'”

Byrd said that the ice house will be important for establishing relationships.

“If you want your business to be something that works, one thing I learned a long time ago is that you have to make relationships that last, and have good dialogues with people,” he said. “Folks just want a reassuring, pleasant experience in crazy times. You have to show sympathy and empathy, and after time they become part of your life and you become genuinely interested in what they have to say and what’s going on with them.”

Staff photos by James Cullum

Recent Stories

Updated 6:25 p.m. — The Potomac Yard arena won’t be moving forward. The City of Alexandria just announced that the city is ending negotiations related to the Potomac Yard Entertainment…

Alexandria is going all out this year for its sweet 275, and it doesn’t look a day over 200. The anniversary is in July, marking 275 since the city was…

Alexandria City Manager Jim Parajon is asking City Council to increase penalties for late personal property tax payments. The news comes as City Council considers a real estate tax increase…

Have you been searching for a sweet furry companion? Meet Toby, a 5-year-old tabby who is the definition of sweet and available for adoption through the Animal Welfare League of…

Well-Paid Maids, the only certified living-wage cleaning service in the DMV, has added a new service to its online booking menu: office and building cleanings.

This includes offices, building lobbies, shared amenity spaces and more throughout D.C., Arlington, Alexandria and more.

Unlike so many other cleaning services, you can feel good booking Well-Paid Maids to clean your office or building. Cleaners get paid a starting wage of $24 an hour. Plus, all employees are offered health, dental, vision and life insurance; 24 paid days off per year; 100% employer-paid commuting costs; and more.

Read More

Submit your own Community Post here.

ShawnMikael[s] and Friends

For their first show at the hallowed Galatic Panther in Old Town Alexandria, ShawnMikael[s] is inviting a bevy of brilliantly funny and field-tested stand-up and improv talent, including some veteran improv performers who were part of this year’s winning team

Scholarship Fund of Alexandria Annual Gala & Auction

Do good while having a good time at the Scholarship Fund of Alexandria’s 38th Annual Gala and Auction at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center. The fun begins with a 2-hour open bar reception while mingling with 499 other Alexandrians who

×

Subscribe to our mailing list