On July 19, actress, model and former America’s Got Talent television host Tyra Banks launched SMiZE & DREAM, an ice cream pop-up in Washington, D.C. SMiZE & DREAM first opened in Los Angeles in 2021 and has since expanded with other pop-ups in California and an ice cream truck in Dubai.
Reflecting on her passion for the business, Banks told Fox 5, “I live, breathe and absolutely love [ice cream]. I am living my sweetest dream.”
At the Washington location, SMiZE & DREAM boasts 10 core flavors alongside creative twists like Mint Chips & Dip and StrawNana Pudding. Mint Chips & Dip reinvents the classic mint chocolate chip by adding chocolate-covered potato chips inspired by Banks’ love of chips and dip. Additionally, the Washington pop-up introduced a new flavor, Cap Hill Crunch, as a tribute to Capitol Hill. This flavor incorporates Cap’n Crunch cereal with caramel and cereal-soaked French toast add-ins.
Beyond its inventive flavors, what truly makes SMiZE & DREAM unique is its hidden SMiZE Surprizes buried at the bottom of each cup or cone. These are small truffles filled with cake, jam and various other mouth-watering fillings. In Washington, the SMiZE Surprizes include Cookie Butta, rolled in cookie crumbs and Purple Brownie, coated in purple sprinkles.
The store itself features a bold yellow-and-black color scheme, with plenty of opportunities to take photos. Flavors are organized in “zones,” ranging from a “comfort zone” with flavors like The Best Vanilla I Ever Had, to a more “crazy” zone, with flavors like Cap Hill Crunch. Banks frequents the pop-up to serve customers, stressing the importance of being involved “in the trenches” of her business.
SMiZE & DREAM has received attention from several celebrities. On its opening day in Washington, Vice President Kamala Harris visited the pop-up with her nieces.
“It was a joy to stop by Smize & Dream today for a treat with my nieces,” Harris shared in an Instagram post. “Thank you for having us, Tyra. I look forward to seeing your continued investment in the ambition and aspirations of the DC community.”
Many of Banks’ childhood memories come to life in SMiZE & DREAM. When Banks was younger, she painted the walls of her room yellow, one of her shop’s main colors. She said to Washingtonian, “Ice cream experiences create some of the most nostalgic, warm memories, like the ones I have with my Mama.” Banks commented that she got her hard-working spirit from her mother, who worked multiple jobs when Banks was a child. Banks’ family found time each week to buy ice cream from a local shop. SMiZE & DREAM hopes to create a similar feeling of community in the Washington area, creating memories while enjoying ice cream.
Beyond ice cream and truffles, SMiZE & DREAM has been planning a new venture: the School of SMiZE, a nonprofit ice cream school set to open soon in Washington. Participants will learn various skills, including flavor technique, marketing and customer service.
Looking ahead, SMiZE & DREAM aims to expand globally, broadening connections and inspiring future business owners and ice cream enthusiasts worldwide. Tyra Banks has already made a mark on the ice cream industry, offering unique flavors with creative twists for customers to enjoy.
The Washington pop-up, located at 2653 Connecticut Avenue NW, is open from 1 p.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 12 p.m.-10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 12 p.m.-9 p.m. on Sunday.
