This post was updated Oct. 9 at 11:08 p.m.
An ice cream chain opened its first Westwood location Sept. 22.
Van Leeuwen Ice Cream sells ice cream, ice cream bars and ice cream sandwiches, including vegan options. The store opened next to Tacos 1986 on Kinross Avenue in a spot previously occupied by Pressed Juicery.
Michael Russell, the executive director of the Westwood Village Improvement Association, said the business gained popularity with its “good quality ingredients” and offerings of classic ice cream flavors with a twist.
Van Leeuwen Ice Cream sells over 15 flavors with around eight vegan dessert selections. Aside from classic flavors like chocolate and vanilla bean, it also provides mango sticky rice, peanut butter brownie honeycomb and strawberry matcha latte ice cream flavors.
The business started out as an ice cream truck in New York founded by brothers Ben and Pete Van Leeuwen and Laura O’Neill, according to its website. The ice cream chain now has over 50 locations across the United States and also operates in Singapore.
Kate Trevino, a third-year statistics and data science student, said her first impression of Van Leeuwen Ice Cream was that it would be a nice place to hang out with friends.
The store has a small front patio including plants and an outdoor seating area.
Van Leeuwen Ice Cream also sells merchandise and ice cream pints toward the back of the shop.
Kylie Menendez, a second-year business economics student, said she heard about the new ice cream shop through her friends.
Menendez added that the workers were friendly. She said she would return to Van Leeuwen, adding that she enjoyed the marionberry cheesecake ice cream flavor.
“I probably wouldn’t study because there’s not too much space, but if there was more space, I would study here,” Menendez said. “I would probably come in to hang out with people and chat.”
Fourteen new businesses have opened in Westwood since the beginning of this year, Russell said, including Salon Republic, Bruin Bowl Malatang and 2nd Street.
[Related: Bruin Bowl Malatang offers build-your-own concept, fresh ingredient options]
Russell said he thought the corner vacancy was fit for a frozen yogurt or ice cream parlor, given that the small space that was previously suitable for Pressed Juicery and Häagen-Dazs – two shops that serve frozen desserts.
He added that building owners often approach the improvement association with brand suggestions. After assessing the brand and how it fits into the community, the association then reaches out to the business.
“We thought it’d be a really good, popular spot there – and right next to Tacos 1986 which has been doing really well,” Russell said. “You get your tacos, then you go get your ice cream, maybe you go to 2nd Street; it’s that block right there that has a lot of options for people.”
Trevino said she first noticed the new ice cream parlor on her way to Tender Greens. Though she hadn’t tried Van Leeuwen Ice Cream before, she added that she had already heard of the business and the new ice cream shop from friends.
[Related: Tender Greens opens in Westwood after two year wait]
Trevino said that out of her two visits to the Kinross location, honeycomb was her favorite flavor.
Russell added that the WVIA’s goal is always to reduce vacancy and to support businesses entering the Westwood community. He said that Van Leeuwen is doing a great job at creating an inviting environment with high retention.
[Related: A look into businesses that have arrived and departed Westwood Village this summer]
“They put a lot of effort, effort into the design of their space and the ingredients that go into their products, so our goal is just to keep them here,” Russell said. “So once they do come in, make sure they feel welcomed.”
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