Land Park is breathing a little easier again. After more than a year with its windows dark, Vic’s Ice Cream is back to scooping on Riverside Boulevard, serving up the old‑school soda‑fountain feel locals grew up with alongside a new café concept next door. The counter is back, the checkerboard floor is back, and much of the longtime crew is back too. Even in January, with everyone zipped into jackets, lines snaked out the door as neighbors rushed in to see whether their beloved parlor had really stayed the same.
KCRA reports that Vic’s marked its return with a Jan. 3 reopening celebration that drew long lines and an outpouring of community support. The comeback was hardly guaranteed. After owner Craig Rutledge died in March 2024, the future of the landmark was in limbo, and CBS Sacramento notes the building ultimately changed hands to local buyers who say they intend to preserve both the recipes and the familiar look.
What the remodel did and did not touch
Behind the scenes, Vic’s got a practical refresh: updated electrical and plumbing and a new ADA‑compliant restroom. Up front, the greatest hits stayed put. The signature black‑and‑white tile, the soda‑fountain counter and the in‑house ice cream operation all survived the overhaul. East Sacramento News points out that a section of the counter was shortened to improve accessibility, a small physical change that regulars are already debating across their sundaes. On the flavor front, the FAQ from Vic’s Ice Cream reassures fans that the team will keep serving “classic Vic’s flavors.”
A new neighbor: Brew Bird Coffee & Creative
Next door, there is a new player in the mix. An adjoining space called Brew Bird Coffee & Creative now shares an interior entryway with Vic’s, bringing in Camellia Coffee Roasters, pastries and a paint‑your‑own pottery studio with an on‑site kiln, according to Abridged. From the sidewalk, each business keeps its own front door, but the partners share a beer‑and‑wine license. The idea is to keep Vic’s firmly family friendly during the day while giving the corner a few more reasons to stay busy into the evening.
Old recipes, familiar scoops
One of the biggest signs that Vic’s intends to stay Vic’s is behind the counter. Longtime general manager Dave Gilson is still running the show, and the parlor continues to make its ice cream in‑house, The Sacramento Bee reports. Staples like mint chip, chocolate almond fudge and the house‑favorite red sauce are back in their usual spots on the menu. There is new merch and some subtle design polish in the space, but customers interviewed on reopening day insist the core Vic’s experience feels basically untouched.
Vic’s sits at 3199 Riverside Blvd. in Land Park and has reopened with walk‑in service. Abridged outlines basic hours and visitor tips from the first day back. For up‑to‑date hours, menu tweaks and merchandise drops, the shop is steering fans to its website and social media feeds…