On a crisp November evening in Farmville, Waldy’s Ice Cream, the family-owned ice cream truck, served its last customers before closing up for the season. For the last week, the business ran various promotions to help sell the last of the ice cream before closing until the spring.
On their last night of being open for the season, the menu that previously was filled with so many different flavors read sold out for many of the options.
Waldy’s Ice Cream is named after a 4-year old boy named Landon. Landon, whose nickname is Waldy, was the main motivation for the family to start the business as he was born with Down syndrome and autism.
After he was born, the family made a goal of showing support for families who have children with Down syndrome and autism while contributing to Landon and his future by opening an ice cream truck in the spring of 2019.
Jennifer Lapp, co-owner and the aunt of Landon explained how the idea of starting Waldy’s Ice Cream emerged one evening when the family was discussing how they could support her sister, Cynthia Raber, and brother-in-law.
The family decided ice cream would be easy to sell since they wouldn’t have to make it themselves and they felt that ice cream was something most people enjoy. The family also decided that being a mobile business would make things easier.
“We all collaborated together as a family. It was one meeting and then it was like a month later pretty much we got the trailer and we started working it,” said Lapp.
The family wanted to find a way to help themselves out financially and “also for other families that have kids with special needs just to kind of show the support there.”
There are currently no set hours since the business is mobile. Hours of operation change based on location and are posted on their Facebook page
Their menu includes floats, cookie sandwiches, brownie sundaes, milkshakes and more.
According to Lapp, Waldy’s Ice Cream traveled for events as far as 30-45 minutes away.
She said the inspiration came from being able to reach the community, to show awareness for other families with children with autism and Down syndrome and to be there to support her sister and brother-in-law.
“We want to reach the community. We want to have a safe place for people to come to and just hang out, especially in the summertime,” said Lapp.
The business has a very family-friendly feel. At night when it starts getting dark, there are disco lights that illuminate the area around the truck.
Presley Walton, a junior and business administration major at Longwood, first tried Waldy's Ice Cream when the truck was at the High Bridge Lofts.
"I think their reason behind the business is really sweet, for the little boy," said Walton.
Walton attended Waldy's Ice Cream the last night of the season and indulged in her favorite ice cream flavor, Colombian Coffee.
“The things that we really want to focus on is just spreading the joy of ice cream and also just the love of Christ with everybody around,” said Lapp.
To stay informed about upcoming events, check the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/waldys4landon/.
Waldy’s Ice Cream serves their last customers of the season with sweet treats.
