(Updated 8:45 a.m. on 6/8/2023) Moo Thru, a popular ice cream parlor that sells handmade, locally sourced ice cream, is coming to the Town of Herndon this summer.
The family-owned business is expected to open a truck sometime next week at 317 Spring Street, according to franchise owner Caitlin Kenney. A brick-and-mortar store will follow in July.
The ice cream shop is a family-operated creamery and ice cream store owned by fourth-generation dairy farmers Ken and Pam Smith. Per its website, the milk used in Moo Thru ice cream comes from the family’s grass-fed Holstein herd, which grazes on a farm along the banks of the Rappahannok River.
Kenney and her husband Frank are behind the concept in the Town of Herndon. Kenney, whose family has been in the town for more than 50 years, said her family fell in love with Moo Thru’s ice cream several years ago and wanted to bring its unique flavor to Northern Virginia.
“It’s been our favorite ice cream for years,” Caitlin said. “How could we not bring it to the area?”
Caitlin, who went to school at Herndon Elementary School, Herndon Middle School and Herndon High School, says that the truck will open sometime next week but with limited hours due to town regulations. It will likely be open Thursday through Sunday with hours that will be determined soon. The shop itself — which will also sell Old Town Coffee to support business in the morning hours — will open later in the summer.
She looks forward to working with the community, particularly sports groups that were integral to her upbringing and her childrens’ upbringing.
The business got its start in 2010 with its first location in Remington — just two miles from the farm that the family owned and operated for decades. Popular flavors include blackberry Merlot with dark chocolate chunks and bourbon caramel.
Items on the menu include ice cream, shakes, malts and sundaes. The business currently has locations in Mineral, Charlottesville, Hillsboro, and Winchester.
The powers of caffeine and sugar will unite this weekend for the grand opening of Springfield’s new Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin Robbins.
After a soft opening on April 3, the combined eateries are set for a more official launch at 9:30 a.m. this Saturday (May 6), promising free coffee or ice cream for a year to the first 100 customers to enter their shared doors at 6310 Backlick Road.
Winners of the giveaway will get four coupons per month for free scoops or medium-sized coffees, lasting 14 months, though they’ll only be accepted at the new location, according to a press release.
With a ribbon-cutting at 10 a.m., the opening will feature a Dunkin’ prize wheel, a balloon artist, face painting and the presence of Dunkin’s mascot “Cuppy.” A $3,000 grant from the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation will also be presented to the Capital Area Food Bank.
“The Next Gen restaurant offers Springfield a first-hand look at Dunkin’s enhanced store experience, with a modern look that provides a fresh, friendly, vibrant, and engaging environment,” the coffee and doughnuts company said in the press release.
Dunkin’ and Baskin Robbins are both part of Dunkin’ Brands Group, which was acquired by Inspire Brands in December 2020. Inspire also owns Arby’s, Buffalo Wild Wings and several other fast food restaurants.
Replacing a KFC that was closed not long after getting set on fire in 2020, the paired Dunkin’ and Baskin Robbins occupy a 2,396-square-foot, drive-thru restaurant with 25 workers and seats for 18 customers.
The company describes the venue as a “next generation” experience, highlighting its modern design, energy efficiency, designated pick-up area for mobile orders and the use of “an innovative tap system” for pouring cold beverages, including a nitro-infused cold brew only available at “Next Gen” locations.
The restaurant’s operating hours are 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sundays.
This summer will be Cold Stone Creamery’s last at Vienna Marketplace.
The ice cream shop will vacate 205 Maple Avenue by Aug. 31 to make way for fast-casual restaurant Taïm Mediterranean Kitchen, according to a leasing agent for KLNB, which owns the shopping center.
Joined by Chipotle and Noodles and Company, Cold Stone has been a mainstay of Vienna Marketplace since at least 2006, according to Yelp reviews. The 1,315-square-foot space is sandwiched in between the heavily frequented but still relatively new South Block and Crumbl Cookies.
It’s unclear whether the closure will mark an end to Cold Stone’s time in Vienna, or if a relocation is being considered. A media contact for the company didn’t respond to requests for comment by press time.
Once Cold Stone closes in about six months, Taïm will begin its build-out in anticipation of opening later this year.
“Mediterranean cuisine has emerged as a great option for the health-conscious consumer,” KLNB Principal Craig Cheney said. “Taïm Mediterranean Kitchen is a fresh, new, quick-service concept where consumers can build their own meal, and is bound to be a hit in Vienna. We’re pleased they chose Vienna Marketplace to be one of their first locations in Virginia.”
Started in New York City in 2005, Taïm has gained a following for its falafel, chicken shawarma and fries, now boasting 13 locations in the New York and D.C. areas, including one that opened earlier this year in College Park, Maryland.
Before coming to Vienna, the chain will venture into Virginia for the first time with a restaurant at Tysons Station in Pimmit Hills. That location remains on track to open late this spring, according to Phil Petrilli, founder and CEO of Untamed Brands, the restaurant group that includes Taim.
“Fans who have experienced taim in the city continue to ask us to bring our restaurants to more of the places where they’re hybrid working or moving with their growing families,” Petrilli said. “We’re really looking forward to meeting our neighbors and serving each community.”
For Vienna residents scouting out other places to get their ice cream fix, Bruster’s Real Ice Cream opened last week just on the other end of the block in Glyndon Plaza, joining Ben & Jerry’s, Toby’s Ice Cream, Rita’s Italian Ice and Frozen Custard, and more.
In the meantime, the Vienna Cold Stone remains open from noon to 9 p.m. on Sundays through Thursdays and until 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Bruster’s Real Ice Cream is ready to roll up its window in Vienna.
The latest franchise from the Pennsylvania-based ice cream company will open for business today (Thursday) at 237 Maple Avenue in Glyndon Plaza, a public relations representative confirmed to FFXnow.
The new shop will operate daily from noon to 9 p.m., following the same hours as other Bruster’s locations, including the one in Fairfax City.
“We are so excited to be a part of the community of which we are longtime residents,” Mohammed and Aisha Tariq, who own the Vienna franchise, said by email. “We visited the Bruster’s of Glen Burnie for years and are thrilled to have our own location and join the Vienna business community.”
The Tariqs have experience in the business world as operators of the First Start Childcare and Learning Center in Elkridge, Maryland. They were inspired to go from Bruster’s fans to owners by their kids, who they foresee potentially working at the shop once they’re older.
“We are excited for the opportunity to employ local youth in the area and teach them how to be successful entrepreneurs,” they said.
As previously reported, Bruster’s opened its first store in Bridgewater, Pennsylvania, in 1989 and started franchising in 1993. It now has over 200 independently owned locations across 22 states, Guyana and South Korea, according to its website.
The business produces over 150 flavors that its franchises offered on a rotating basis. All of the ice cream is made on-site at each shop.
In addition, Bruster’s has limited-time and seasonal offerings, along with non-dairy, non-fat, sugar-free sorbets and sherbets. The featured flavors for March is a “Dino or Dirt Sundae” and “Cookie Craze,” which is described as blue vanilla ice cream with Oreo cookie chunks, crushed dinosaur-shaped sugar cookies, and cookie dough pieces.
Like the other locations, the Vienna franchise has outdoor seating but no indoor seating, instead serving patrons through pick-up windows.
Bruster’s previously had a location in Avenir Place near the Dunn Loring Metro station, but it closed in 2020 after the franchisee decided not to renew their lease.
The Mosaic District is no longer home to the self-proclaimed first Thai-style rolled ice cream shop in Virginia.
520 Ice Cream & Tea permanently closed on Dec. 30, according to an Instagram post. A notice posted to the door at 2985 District Avenue, Suite 160, said the shop wouldn’t reopen in 2023.
“We thank you for five years of incredible support!” the notice said.
Billed as the first “Thai-inspired” ice cream establishment in Virginia and Maryland, the business had a location in Springfield that appears to have closed in 2019. Its Maryland locations in Rockville, Bethesda and College Park still seem to be open.
Several of the more recent Yelp reviews for the Mosaic shop complain about half-hour-long waits for ice cream. FFXnow was unable to reach 520 Ice Cream for an explanation of the closure.
The Mosaic District recently welcomed Kirby Club, a Mediterranean restaurant that opened in late December. Construction is underway in the neighborhood for three new tenants: a Pottery Barn furniture store, the jewelry business Brilliant Earth and the clothing store Faherty.
