Gina Galvan and Michael Limongelli said they never imagined they would be in business together, but the siblings' passion for quality plant-based foods led them to open Vicecreme in April in The Oasis shopping center. The vegan ice cream parlor serves dairy-free scoops alongside views of Lake Travis.




Entrepreneurs and siblings Michael Limongelli and Gina Galvan opened Vicecreme in April. Entrepreneurs and siblings Michael Limongelli and Gina Galvan opened Vicecreme in April.[/caption]

The shop is free of any organic, dairy-free or gluten-free signage. Galvan said the store’s look was intentional, in spite of its ice cream meeting those descriptions. She said she and Limongelli want people to give the shop a chance before they think “healthy ice cream” and turn away.




The shop offers 10 rotating ice cream flavors The shop offers 10 rotating ice cream flavors[/caption]

Customers can choose from 10 rotating flavors of coconut-based ice cream created by Nadamoo—a local vegan ice cream distributor—or two rotating flavors of house-made, soy-based soft-serve ice cream.


On average, Vicecreme’s scoops have 9 grams of sugar and about 130 calories per serving, Limongelli said. The two hope to impart some knowledge on plant-based eating to customers, such as its impact on the environment and a person’s health, he said.


But it is not just the ice cream that grabs the attention of customers. The entrepreneurs behind Vicecreme are young 20-somethings. Galvan, an Army reservist, is 28, and Limongelli is 11 months her junior.


“Being owner-operated is important to everybody out here,” Limongelli said referencing the growing business community surrounding The Oasis.


Galvan said she and her brother chose  to operate by the lake as opposed to downtown Austin. Because of the seasonal, sunset-seeking customer base of The Oasis, they have targeted their hours to those peak times.


“We can be here when the people are here," she said. "And the view isn’t half bad.”