Toby's Homemade Ice Cream Celebrates Grand Opening In Vienna

VIENNA, VA — Local officials helped Toby's Homemade Ice Cream celebrate its grand opening Thursday in Vienna. This is the second location for the locally-owned business, which offers ice cream made in small batches.

The new business is located at the Cedar Park Shopping Center, 280 Cedar Lane SE. The owners are Toby Bantug and his wife, Monina.

Toby's Homemade Ice Cream dates back to 2008, when the first shop opened in Arlington's Westover neighborhood. The couple had a dream of opening an ice cream shop since 1997, the first year Toby made his first small batch in his uncle's garage. They realized that dream when acquiring a space in Arlington, and Toby traded his job in graphic design and advertising for running a business.

Bantug credits his wife, Monina, and his cousin, Social Burger owner Denise Lee, for the motivation to open in Vienna. He told Patch the community is supportive of small businesses.

"They've been so supportive, and we've really enjoyed having them come in and eat some good ice cream," said Bantug.

Toby's small batches of ice cream are made both at the Vienna shop and by local producers who follow the shop's recipes. Expect classic flavors like vanilla bean and chocolate along with special options such as ube, salted caramel, coffee Oreo and green tea.

"All handmade in small batches — that's what we pride ourselves on," said Bantug.

While the shop serves the same ice cream you can expect at the Arlington location, there are a few differences.

"This is much bigger. We make most of the ice cream over here," said Bantug. "There's a lot more parking. There's a lot more seating."

The business has also gotten involved with the Vienna Cars & Coffee events held at the Cedar Park Shopping Center. In a new rendition called Vienna Cars & Cones, attendees are encouraged to come in for a scoop at Toby's. The next event is 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday.

Toby's is known for supporting community sports teams, school clubs, fundraisers and other organizations that ask for help. In Arlington, the shop has done a "free scoop for straight A’s or perfect attendance" promotion, were founding sponsors of the Westover Farmers Market, hold back-to-school ice cream socials with donated ice cream and hold a Westover Easter Egg Hunt. The business hopes to bring similar community support to Vienna.

Toby's Homemade Ice Cream is open 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday and closed on Mondays. Hours may be extended on occasion depending on the presence of customers.