Sneak Peek: ‘Van Leeuwen Ice Cream’ To Open Thursday on Elm Street

New Canaan’s new ice cream shop opened its doors for a “sneak peek” Tuesday afternoon.

Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, located in the former Dunkin Donuts space on Elm Street, is set to open to the public on Thursday.

“We’ve been looking in New Canaan for years, but we wanted to find just the right spot,” co-founder Ben Van Leeuwen said as invitees—including local media, company representatives and their family members—sampled from over 30 unique flavors, including a limited edition Cognac & Black Truffle Dulce de Leche in collaboration with Elm Restaurant. “We’re psyched to take it over.”

Invitees order samples from over 30 signature flavors on Tuesday. Credit: Natalie Lopez

The shop also offers a variety of ice cream bars and sandwiches to choose from, alongside takeout or delivery pints. 

Brothers Ben and Pete Van Leeuwen got their start in 2002 after renting a Good Humor truck for two summers in their native Greenwich. Following a backpacking trip around Asia and Europe after his time in the truck, inspiration struck. 

Witnessing the availability of good food abroad, Ben Van Leeuwen was inspired to serve his own. After recruiting now fellow co-founder Laura O’Neill, Van Leeuwen Ice Cream was born in the form of a yellow scoop truck that took to the streets of NYC in 2008. 

Van Leuwen Ice Cream opens Dec. 14, 2023 on Elm Street. Credit: Michael Dinan

Fifteen years later, the company has more than 50 locations nationwide, including in Darien and Greenwich, all serving their signature French-style ice cream. The company focuses on minimal, great-tasting ingredients, Ben Van Leeuwen said. 

“We’re really good at sourcing stuff that tastes especially good,” he said. 

Consumers can enjoy pistachios exclusively grown on Mount Etna, a stratovolcano located in Bronte, Sicily in their Sicilian Pistachio flavor; or enjoy strawberries ripened on the vine from a farm in Oregon in their Strawberry flavor. Or, if vanilla is more your speed, go with the 2023 “New York Times” best vanilla ice cream. 

“It’s just finding really good ingredients, taking a few extra steps and minimal ingredients too,” Ben Van Leeuwen said. “We try to keep a clean label partially because we think it just tastes so good.”

The newest addition to the menu is in collaboration with Executive Chef Luke Venner of Elm Restaurant. The limited-edition Cognac & Black Truffle Dulce de Leche flavor will be available for the grand opening on Thursday. 

A vanilla ice cream cookie sandwich. Credit: Natalie Lopez

Van Leeuwen joins froyo provider Swirl as well as Gelatissimo and Gofer Ice Cream in providing frozen treats in downtown New Canaan. 

“I’ve been a big fan for a long time. And then we heard they were coming to town and I got really excited, especially knowing they’re going to be right across the street,” Venner said. “We got in touch and decided to do some kind of collaboration for the opening.”

As a national brand who’s collaborated with brands like Hidden Valley Ranch and Kraft Macaroni & Cheese, Van Leeuwen looks to be a part of the community. 

“We’re a small national brand, but the dream is, of course, to come and feel like a local. It starts with creating an environment where your team’s happy, where they stay for a long time, where people get to know them,” Ben Van Leeuwen said.