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Alexandria, VA

Expanding a storytelling-inspired ice cream concept from a mobile cart to a brick-and-mortar scoop shop.

• Unique concept: Flavors inspired by books, characters, and literary themes.
• Experienced founder: Operated a $2M bookstore business and over 200 community events annually.
• Strategic growth model: Pop-up and catering roots with plans for a 2026 scoop shop launch.
• Efficient use of funds: Focused on scaling production and enhancing operational readiness.
• Community roots: Built on the loyal following of Old Town Books and strong local presence.

Fabled Ice Cream is raising funds to transition from a successful mobile pop-up and catering business to a permanent brick-and-mortar scoop shop in Alexandria, Virginia. Founded in 2025 as a spin-off of the beloved independent bookstore Old Town Books, the company blends culinary creativity with literary inspiration, crafting small-batch, hand-made ice cream flavors each tied to a story, character, or moment. Currently serving customers through its “Cone Mobile” vintage Japanese mini truck and at farmers markets, bookstore events, and private functions, Fabled Ice Cream is cultivating a strong local following while maintaining artisanal quality.

The funding will primarily be used to purchase a high-capacity batch freezer to expand production capabilities while preserving the brand’s handmade ethos. Additional funds will serve as working capital to support the company’s operational growth as it prepares to open a scoop shop in 2026. By leveraging the existing customer base and infrastructure of Old Town Books, Fabled Ice Cream maintains low acquisition costs and a high degree of community engagement. This investment supports a mission-driven, woman- and LGBTQ+-owned business that aims to serve imaginative, story-rich ice cream in a space that celebrates both food and narrative.

Company Info

Fabled Ice Cream creates handcrafted ice cream inspired by books and literary themes, served via a mobile cart with plans for a permanent scoop shop.

Fabled Ice Cream is a small-batch ice cream company founded in 2025 as an offshoot of the independent bookstore Old Town Books in Alexandria, Virginia. The business produces handcrafted, hard scoop ice cream inspired by books, characters, and memorable moments, blending culinary creativity with literary themes. Launched with a mobile cart and catering model, Fabled Ice Cream serves customers at farmers markets, bookstore events, and private functions. The product is prepared at Union Kitchen, a food incubator in Washington, DC, and served from a vintage Japanese mini truck referred to as the Cone Mobile. The business emphasizes artisanal quality and storytelling in its flavor development.

With plans to open a brick-and-mortar scoop shop in 2026, Fabled Ice Cream is expanding its operations beyond its initial pop-up format. It leverages the existing infrastructure, audience, and brand equity of Old Town Books to build a loyal customer base while maintaining operational flexibility through its cart-and-catering model. The company is led by founder Allyson Kirkpatrick, who brings two decades of experience in retail and hospitality and previously scaled Old Town Books into a $2 million enterprise. The business operates with a focus on community, creativity, and the unique fusion of literature and food.