Van Leeuwen Opens at Union Market Today “offering $1 scoops from 12pm-4pm”!

418 Morse Street, NE courtesy Van Leeuwen

From a press release:

“Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, the cult-favorite brand known for its made-from-scratch dairy and vegan flavors, is pleased to announce the opening of its first Washington, D.C. scoop shop at 418 Morse St NE. Located within D.C.’s vibrant Union Market neighborhood, this outpost is the first of three Van Leeuwen stores slated to open in the Nation’s Capital over the coming months.

“The Union Market neighborhood will undoubtedly be the perfect home for our first D.C. scoop shop,” says Van Leeuwen co-founder and CEO Ben Van Leeuwen. “We’re excited to join such a dynamic collection of businesses, and serve Washingtonians good ice cream that makes you feel good for years to come.”

As Van Leeuwen embarks upon Washington, D.C., it has invited iconic local businesses and talent to collaborate as ‘flavor partners’ for special-edition ice cream exclusive to each shop.
For its inaugural location at Union Market, the brand has tapped Michelin-Starred Chef Johnny Spero to revive his beloved “Birch” ice cream flavor that originated at Reverie, his award-winning restaurant that is currently being rebuilt after a devastating fire in August 2022.

“The inspiration behind Reverie’s signature Birch dessert stemmed from a chance interaction with a local farmer, who dropped by the restaurant on a cold call one day. He gave me a taste of a batch of his birch syrup, made from the trees on his property, and I was hooked,” said Chef Johnny Spero. “I bought everything he had without a clue what I was going to do with it, and now several years down the line, I couldn’t be more thrilled to bring back this special flavor with the iconic Van Leeuwen Ice Cream.”

In addition to the Birch flavor, the Union Market store will feature more than 30 of the brand’s signature flavors–including Honeycomb, Pistachio (made with pistachios sourced from Mount Etna in Sicily), Marionberry Cheesecake (made with vine-ripened berries from Oregon farm partner Stahlbush Island Farms), and Earl Grey Tea (made with Rishi Tea)–along with custom sundaes, handmade ice cream sandwiches, root beer floats, milkshakes and pints to-go. An extensive selection of Van Leeuwen’s famed vegan flavors, such as Churros & Fudge and Peanut Butter Brownie Honeycomb, will also be available.

To celebrate the grand opening, Van Leeuwen will be offering $1 scoops at their Union Market location between 12:00 pm and 4:00 pm on opening day, Thursday, March 23.

Throughout Spring/Summer 2023, Van Leeuwen will continue to open stores in D.C.’s most iconic neighborhoods and culinary destinations. Washingtonian’s can expect storefronts to begin popping up in Adams Morgan (2421 18th St. NW) and Georgetown (3245 Prospect St. NW).

Van Leeuwen Union Market is located at 418 Morse St NE and is open daily at the following hours:
Monday – Thursday 12:00 p.m. – 10 p.m. Friday 12:00 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 10 p.m.”