The brand will open its first location May 8 at 2565 Amherst St., Houston, the first of three Houston openings slated for summer 2021, the company announced May 3.
“We are excited to be opening in Houston,” said Van Leeuwen co-founder and CEO Ben Van Leeuwen in the announcement. “As a small, family-run business, the decision to expand into a new market was a really big deal for us. What attracted us to Houston was the incredible cultural and culinary diversity and the feeling of progress, growth in modernity the city radiates. The average daily temperature didn’t hurt either.”
Each month, Van Leeuwen unveils four special flavors—two dairy and two vegan—available for a limited time both in store and online. The ice cream brand also offers sundaes, ice cream sandwiches, root beer floats, milkshakes and a variety of toppings including hot fudge, honeycomb candy and housemade whipped cream. While supplies last, the new Rice Village location will offer the Yellow Rose Bourbon Pecan Pie, in partnership with Houston’s Yellow Rose Distillery.
Van Leeuwen Ice Cream traces its roots back to New York City, where it started as a food truck in 2008. The brand expanded into grocery stores across the country and followed that up with 23 retail shops in New York City, New Jersey and Los Angeles.
Ahead of the opening, Van Leeuwen’s ice cream truck will pop up throughout the city, sharing samples of ice cream. On its opening day, Van Leeuwen will offer $1 scoops all day.
Van Leeuwen’s Rice Village location will be open every day 11 a.m.-11p.m. www.vanleeuwenicecream.com
