Richmond-based Nightingale Ice Cream expands production with new plant expected to create 166 jobs
Richmond-based confectionery company Nightingale Ice Cream is moving into a new production facility in Southside — a change costing $5.8 million and creating 166 jobs.
According to an email from a Nightingale spokesperson, the ice cream makers will occupy 2807 Transport St., an old ink production factory constructed in 1983. It’s a roughly five-acre lot, and the building itself is 29,000 square feet — 24,000 of which will be used for production. The remaining space will house Nightingale’s marketing, sales, operations and administrative team.
Currently, Nightingale has about 100 employees, and the company’s spokesperson wrote that it hopes to grow to 200-plus employees by the end of 2027. Most new jobs will be in operations and logistics, HR, marketing, sales, production, quality assurance, and accounting.
Governor Glenn Youngkin labeled the move a “tremendous win” for Virginia in a press release.
“This project isn’t just about delicious treats — it’s about creating new jobs, boosting our local economy, and showing the world that our region is open for business,” Virginia’s Secretary of Commerce and Trade, Juan Pablo Segura, was quoted as saying in the press release.
Since its founding in 2016 by Richmonders Hannah Pollack and Xavier Meers, Nightingale Ice Cream is now in 5,000 stores from coast to coast. These locations include big-name grocers like Harris Teeter, Whole Foods, Kroger and The Fresh Market.
Mayor Danny Avula said in a press release that he and his administration are proud to support Nightingale’s move and will back its growth through city programs. He specifically mentioned the Enterprise Zone, a program offering businesses up to $10,000 to cover up to half the cost of relocating into one of the city’s designated areas.
According to the press release, Nightingale Ice Cream will also be supported through the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, which works to attract businesses to Virginia, and the Virginia Jobs Investment Program, a state-funded endeavor that provides consultation and money to companies.
“It’s wonderful to be able to help a growing local business such as Nightingale, which has produced a tasty treat that’s reaching beyond the Richmond region’s borders,” Greater Richmond Partnership President and CEO Jennifer Wakefield said in the press release. “We were notified to Nightingale’s needs from our website and were able to assist alongside our local and state partners.”
Contact Reporting Intern Eleanor Shaw at eshaw@richmonder.org. Sarah Vogelsong contributed to this report.
