Just in time for the hot summer months, Old Town’s ice cream scene continues to expand with the arrival of Van Leeuwen Ice Cream.
The New York City-based ice cream brand has announced it will hold a grand opening on Thursday, June 18 for its new shop at 400 King Street. Customers can receive celebratory $1 scoops from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on opening day, and the first 100 guests will get a branded tote bag.
The Alexandria opening will be the last of three Van Leeuwen grand openings planned in Northern Virginia next month. Other locations are opening in Ashburn (20290 Exchange Street) on Tuesday, June 2, and in Arlington’s Ballston neighborhood (4075 Wilson Blvd) on Thursday, June 11.
The new shop is Van Leeuwen’s first outpost in Alexandria as it continues to expand throughout the D.C. region. The chain has opened eight ice cream shops in the area, including two nearby Arlington locations in Crystal City and Clarendon.
“We’re excited to continue growing throughout Northern Virginia and bring Van Leeuwen to these incredible communities,” CEO and co-founder Ben Van Leeuwen said in a release. “We can’t wait to welcome guests in for our flavors lineup, signature sundaes, milkshakes, floats, and more.”
Each of the new shops will scoop up Van Leeuwen’s 30 signature flavors, including vegan options like Banana Bread Pudding with Fudge Swirls and Peanut Butter Brownie Honeycomb. These come with classic topping options like rainbow sprinkles and hot fudge, as well as others like wild cherries, strawberries, pistachio cream and a hazelnut crunch sauce.
The new King Street shop will have late-night hours, with service from 11 a.m. to midnight, Sunday through Thursday, and 11-1 a.m., Friday and Saturday.
Van Leeuwen’s opening will come after neighboring Life Alive Cafe opens in the 400 King Street building on Tuesday, June 9.
Van Leeuwen isn’t the only confectionary option coming to Old Town this summer. The locally-owned Fabled Ice Cream, operated by Old Town Books owner Ally Kirkpatrick, is also launching this season.
Kirkpatrick is planning to offer weekly drops of literary-inspired flavors, available to try via Hotplate online order and pickup. Her ice cream will be available to sample at Old Town Books’ Hot Book Summer celebration on Saturday, June 6.
