Serving up “light and fluffy, yet decadent” shaved snow treats that offer a unique (and, often, lower-calorie) approach to sweets, Vampire Penguin has grown to encompass more than 20 locations nationwide since its founding on the West Coast. The state of Florida is already home to several outposts of this sweet frozen treat brand, but South Florida has yet to experience it. That will change in Q4 of this year, when South Florida’s first Vampire Penguin is expected to open in Palm Beach Gardens, at 3908 Northlake Blvd.
Behind the location are Darcey and Troy Wilkes, who were looking to a start a new business for themselves when they heard about a Vampire Penguin opportunity through a relative.
“We thought it was pretty cool, and that it would be marketable here,” Darcey Wilkes told What Now Friday. “But then we went to Tampa to try it, and we completely fell in love with the product. I’m not even a big dessert person, and I thought it was fantastic. Light, creamy, not overwhelming.”
Being individually owned, Vampire Penguin locations vary widely in their menu offerings (and in their décor), but their menus have included shaved snow confection varieties like Strawberry Cheesecake, Snow Thaiger (Thai Tea Snow, crushed Oreos, condensed milk), and Dulce de Leche.
Wilkes has considerable dessert-making experience herself, having worked in a cookie-baking business for seven years. Vampire Penguin will now be her full focus, but you just may find some cookies available in the Northlake Boulevard location.
That location is expected to launch before the end of the year, and Wilkes says there are plans to open more locations in the area.
You can keep up with Vampire Penguin news by following @vampirepenguinsnow on Instagram.
