Jake’s Ice Cream is going to be a very special place
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| A new ice cream parlor is coming to Barcroft Plaza on Columbia Pike. |
Jake’s Ice Cream, under construction in Barcroft Plaza, will employ special-needs adults who have a hard time a finding job.
The staff will make ice cream on the premises –14 percent butterfat hard ice cream in 24 flavors plus four non-dairy/vegan coconut-based flavors, says owner Robin Rinearson. She hopes the shop will open in early July.
Jake’s will offer shakes, cones, sundaes, ice cream cakes, waffle cones, and ice cream sandwiches – all the things an old-fashioned ice cream parlor would serve, Rinearson says. The shop will also have coffee, tea, soft drinks, and some confections like cake pops, hot cocoa bombs, and chocolate-dipped strawberries.
The shop is a major career change for Rinearson. After working as a pediatric and developmental optometrist for more than 44 years then as a geriatric eye care specialist – most recently at the Nova Vision Center in Bailey’s Crossroads – she decided to go into the ice cream business.
The shop is named for her nephew, Jake, who lost his job at a Northern Virginia company along with 17 other special-needs employees due to the COVID pandemic.
“This is a story that is common to many people but has a more devastating impact on the special-needs community where jobs are few and far between,” Rinearson says. “Most of our new hires are patients of mine where there is a long relationship that is both professional and friendly.”
A few parents and siblings of the future employees are helping make the launch successful, she says. The Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board and Arlington County are helping with job training and coaching.
Rinearson started training the staff in her dining room about four months ago, teaching them to make shakes, waffle cones, and other treats, so they can become familiar with the skills and one another before they’ll have to deal with the new equipment, noise, and hustle in the shop.
“There is a great sense of camaraderie among our staff,” she says. “They ask for and offer help to one another. They take pride in making these wonderful treats and are looking forward to doing this on a larger scale. Many of these young adults are embarking on their first job with us. We are hoping for a long and fruitful relationship.”
Jake’s Ice Cream will be open daily 11 a.m.-8 p.m. – and possibly longer in the summer months if the shop gets busy.
Rinearson is also thinking ahead about possibly opening one or two additional shops “if we are wildly successful,” she says. “But we are starting slowly with this first one to get all of the skills organized.”
Jake’s Ice Cream’s motto is “made with pride by loving hands,” she says. “We are excited to bring this little slice of heaven to the community and to engage all of us in a caring way.”
This sounds absolutely amazing! We've needed a good old fashioned ice cream shop around here and I can't wait to make Jake's part of my routine (along with more exercise to balance all the extra ice cream! :))
Love this story and can’t wait to give Jakes a try. So wonderful.
Wow, this is a wonderful development. The motivation to open this store and the owner's plan to hire special needs adults are very inspiring. And who doesn't like ice cream!! I look forward to being a customer and hope that Jake's is a great success.
Way to go, Ms Rinearson, looking forward to a yummy visit!
This is a big "yea!"
Sounds GREAT!
FINALLY, a venue we can all enjoy regardless of nationality. Who doesn't love ice cream. This is a big plus for our neighborhood. And to think Penny Gross would have spoiled all of this with her DMV!
Great idea. I look forward to trying it!
And to think that all the positive comments had to include one nasty one Thanks, anonymous at 4:38 for spoiling all the positivity and good feelings.
It is true though, isn't it? Many of the wonderful businesses that we have in the plaza would be elsewhere had Ms. Gross had her way.
Welcome Jake's! Excited to see you and your staff succeed!
We will definitely be visiting Jake's! Dr. Rinearson is such a great person – looking forward to supporting her and her nephew's awesome new venture.
We will definitely be visiting Jake's! Dr. Rinearson is such a great person – looking forward to supporting her and her nephew's awesome new venture.
Yay!!! We're really looking forward to this!
Robin, We are thrilled about the store and the good it will do. Looking forward to the opening.
Don and Lynne Myers
Anything Robin does is done well! Wishing her and the store the best. We'll have to stop by the next time we visit from SC.
So looking forward to supporting Jake’s. It’s a wonderful addition to our community!
Dr Rinearson has always been an amazing person and doctor. Now we learn that there is even more to her amazing talents. Robin thanks for continuing to help the special needs community in a whole new way.
Anything Robin undertakes she does exceptionally well. I can’t wait to become a regular!
Congratulations on this new endeavor, Robin! We definitely look forward to indulging in some delicious ice cream at Jake's and spreading the word about it to others. Good luck and best wishes on your "semi" retirement! Michele & Michael
Everybody will be a winner, ice cream lover, manager, and employees. Cant get any better
Wow I was talking to another parent that we could open an ice cream store for our kids w disabilities. Great to see someone is already opening one. Will go and get our ice cream there and have my son apply for a job there.