By Una Yarsky

During these past months, businesses have worked hard to increase a feeling of community in Southwest while remaining afloat during this economic slump. One such business is Ice Cream Jubilee, a local ice cream shop that focuses on “authentic flavors,” according to their website. Since early on in the quarantine, Jubilee organized takeout and delivery services. Recently, the business has re-opened in D.C. and is ready to accept customers to serve ice cream pints as well as scoops. 

During the re-opening, the business launched an art project to communicate a message of love and support for the Black Lives Matter movement. Jubilee is collecting signs made by children to display on their storefront windows at all three locations in the District and Virginia. Children are encouraged to create signs that reflect a message of tolerance. Jubilee has also made coloring sheets available on their website, and participants can drop these signs off at any Jubilee store, where they will be presented. 

Here in Southwest, the Jubilee store is located in Yards Park, where families often gather to enjoy themselves throughout the year. The message is certainly spread to pedestrians throughout the day. Ice Cream Jubilee founder Victoria Lai said, “Our goal is to use storefront windows at Ice Cream Jubilee as an opportunity to educate people of all ages that creating an anti-racist culture takes effort.” 

In addition to signs about the Black Lives Matter movement, Ice Cream Jubilee will also showcase signs about the Covid-19 pandemic. The store is focusing on messages of love during a time of division, as well as hopefully inspiring conversations about these issues. The Yards Park Ice Cream Jubilee is open from 2-9 p.m. during weekdays, and from 12-9 p.m. on weekends. Their two other locations are at 1407 T St. NW, a few blocks from the U Street Metro, and at 4238 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, Va. 

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