Jake's Ice Cream Owner Snags Statewide Award Amid New Business Opening

SEVEN CORNERS, VA — Retirement hasn't slowed down life for Robin Rinearson as she sets a standard for employers to hire people with disabilities. After opening Jake's Ice Cream Shop two years ago to employ people with disabilities, a similar concept called Jake's Gourmet Popcorn has a soft opening this week in Seven Corners.

On top of that, Rinearson was recognized with a statewide award from Arc of Virginia, an advocacy organization for people with developmental disabilities.

Rinearson is a former optometrist who retired in 2021. That same year, she opened and named Jake's Ice Cream after her nephew, Jake, who has cerebral palsy. Jake and others with developmental disabilities lost their jobs in the COVID-19 pandemic, driving Rinearson to use her own money to open the ice cream shop.

The shop at 6353 Columbia Pike in Falls Church initially opened with employees who were patients she saw as an optometrist. Today, the majority of employees are people with disabilities.

Rinearson often says the story isn't about her but rather her employees with disabilities. The optimism shared by her employees speak to the impact her business has.

Anna Tiernan, an employee at Jake's Ice Cream, told Patch she enjoys making the cake pops, waffle cones and waffle bowls, just a few of the items staff make from scratch.

She praised Rinearson for making work fun and being supportive.

"She is the best owner ever because she supports me and makes me laugh," said Tiernan. "We both like Billy Joel. Our favorite song is Uptown Girl. It is super fun to work at birthday parties with her. She gave me a job so I can get money so I can get an apartment really soon."

Adam Toobin, a greeter at Jake's Ice Cream who also runs the shop's social media, told Patch he works there because, "I just want to experience everything." He has high praise for Rinearson as a boss.

"She's unique, she helps everyone in their own way," Toobin said.

Meghan Muskett, another employee, enjoys when children and other customers come out to try Jake's Ice Cream.

On Rinearson's leadership as a boss, Muskett says, "She is nice and caring. She is so amazing for opportunities [to] keep us strong and our mission growing and more thriving. Personally i just love her."

In recognition of her work at Jake's Ice Cream and the planned Jake's Gourmet Popcorn, Rinearson accepted a Catalyst of Change award, which the Arc of Virginia gives each year to residents or organizations who advance civil rights for the developmental disability community.

Grey Persons, board president of The Arc of Virginia, when presenting the Catalyst of Change award to Rinearson on July 31, described the affect she has on people with disabilities.

"Her employees have meaningful work in a community-based environment where they not only earn a paycheck, but are valued members of her team," Persons said. "Her shops provide community gathering spaces for people of all abilities to learn about one another and form community. Through her media appearances, testimony to the Virginia General Assembly, and other outreach efforts, Robin tirelessly advocates for the inclusion of adults with disabilities."

With all of that, Persons says Rinearson's work helps the community "envision a future where people of all abilities are valued."

SEE ALSO: Jake's Ice Cream Offers Valuable Work For People With Disabilities

Rinearson was also recently honored with the Eleanor Sue Finkelstein Inclusion & Disabilities Award from the Pozez Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia.

In the wake of Jake's Ice Cream celebrating its two-year anniversary, Jake's Gourmet Popcorn held a soft opening this week at 6328 Seven Corners Center in Falls Church. During the soft opening, staff continue to train to make different popcorn flavors. A grand opening has not yet been announced.