Everyone could use a little love, and the Fairfax County hospitality community is doing good deeds every day to support others in need. You can read more about ongoing efforts from these businesses through the LoveShare program, which Visit Fairfax launched to highlight these stories.
As part of an effort to share the Love, Visit Fairfax talked to some area business owners who are working toward - and driven by - doing good. Follow along in the new LoveShare Q&A series. Know of a business we should speak to next? Let us know in the comments below!
Jake's Ice Cream & Jake's Popcorn
Q&A with Owner Robin Rinearson
Something good - and equally tasty - is happening in Falls Church. Jake's Ice Cream serves in-house artisanal small-batch ice cream, offering over 20 flavors of quirky and unique flavors. Its sister shop, Jake's Popcorn, makes freshly popped popcorn in a variety of delicious flavors. But the magic behind the curtain that creates these flavorful treats is the amazing staff, who show their pride in the differently-abled community. Here is the inside scoop on the Jake's family.
Jake, pictured center, at Jake's Ice Cream
Tell us a little bit about your business.
Jake's Ice Cream is in Falls Church in the Barcroft Plaza Shopping Center. It exists solely to employ differently abled adults. It opened mid-pandemic, so that was difficult, but we are continuing to grow. In this shop, I employ 24 differently abled adults. We make all of the ice cream, the cake pops, the covered cookies, ice cream cakes and pies, waffle cones and hot cocoa bombs. The staff scoops ice cream and makes milk shakes for customers. They run the register and handle almost everything on their own. Some need a little extra help from a mentor (another staff person in the shop) or from the managers.
It's a happy place - especially when it's busy. Winter is difficult for the ice cream shop. Regardless, we have to keep all of our differently abled staff in year-round employment or they do not qualify for job coaching assistance from the county/state. This year saw an uptick in people purchasing ice cream cakes - they are all custom made and in the Create Your Own Ice Cream events. It's a great party idea for small groups.
Why is this business model so important and what are the benefits?
Everyone deserves a chance to function as a respected member of the community. This shop teaches work skills and work ethic to a group who are often ignored and underutilized. Not only do they have pride in success with their job, but this opportunity also offers a social environment where they are all friends and do other things together. The shop sets an example for the community that we can have this sort of work arrangement and it's an asset. For the most part, people have been very kind with their interactions in the shop.
In the "off" season, Adam calls bingo every other week and we give out prizes to staff. They gather to celebrate one another's birthdays and seasonal events. Some of the staff participate in chorus or music activities or in community plays.
Do you have any success stories you want to highlight?
Opening Day:
ServiceSource Virginia Community Placement Employee of the Year: Adam Toobin
How can people can get involved to support your business?
Buy ice cream and ice cream cakes from us. Schedule a "Create Your Own Ice Cream" event with us. Host a party for your family, the neighbors, a team or youth group and hire us to bring ice cream to your event. Buy gift cards and hand them out. This gift doesn't need dusting, doesn't have to color coordinate with your decor and is wonderfully delicious!
If you know of a business that is doing its part to make the world a better place, please let us know. Learn more about LoveShare here.
