The Meadows Original Frozen Custard has at last completed its move from Ashburn to Reston.
After some delays, the frozen desserts shop began serving customers in the South Lakes Village Shopping Center (11130-I South Lakes Drive) on Wednesday (Dec. 17) and will celebrate its grand opening tomorrow (Saturday).
For the grand opening, Meadows plans to open its doors at noon and offer a number of deals, including $2 hot chocolates, $3 hot chocolate custard floats and a free topping. Customers can also get a 20% discount on gift cards worth $25 or more in the lead-up to Christmas (Thursday, Dec. 25).
Franchise owner Michael Nassif acknowledged that opening a frozen custard store right as winter kicks in is less-than-ideal, noting that he would’ve preferred to launch in June as originally hoped. However, his team is now just “happy to be at the finish line.”
“We are excited to finally be open and bring the Meadows to our local community,” Nassif said.
Started with a single frozen custard stand in Duncansville, Pennsylvania, in 1950, Meadows now boasts 27 locations in total, including one franchise in Canberra, Australia. The Reston shop is the company’s third in Virginia, joining spots in Hampton and Williamsburg.
Prior to its relocation, Nassif’s franchise had been based at One Loudoun in Ashburn since May 2014.
With the development seeing an influx of competing ice cream options, Nassif decided not to renew his lease and closed Meadows that December. He considered making the shutdown permanent until the storefront at the South Lakes Village Shopping Center previously occupied by Custom Ink became available.
In addition to having fewer existing ice cream or frozen custard options than One Loudoun, south Reston is also closer to home for Nassif’s family.
“We live very close to the center and have established ties to the community which make owning a business here very attractive,” he told FFXnow back in March. “The proximity of the shopping center to my kids’ schools and several other elementary schools will allow us to be involved in their fundraising efforts and support their various clubs.”
During the winter, Meadows in Reston will have truncated hours, opening at noon on Saturdays and 1 p.m. on weekdays. The shop will close at 8 p.m. on Monday through Thursday and at 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
“Our hours are subject to change in the winter and we may be closed on Mondays,” Nassif noted, adding that he hopes to offer longer operating hours in the summer.
Along with frozen custard cups and cones, the menu includes sundaes, shakes, arctic swirls where the custard or frozen yogurt is blended with various toppings, gelati, Italian ice, smoothies and cakes. The business also sells pints and quarts that can be taken home.
