YORKTOWN – For Diego Diaz, owner of Papi’s Creamery, learning his Yorktown-based business had earned Coastal Virginia Magazine’s Best Of Readers’ Choice Award was both exciting and validating.
“I was excited,” Diaz said. “I mean, initially we were nervous because the voting was done a while back and we hadn’t heard anything.”
After weeks of uncertainty, Diaz discovered the news on a Friday afternoon while finishing classes at the gym where he also works as a trainer.
“It’s very exciting because it speaks about the business, about what we do, about our product,” Diaz said. “It’s just always good to have a little bit of that recognition and know we’re doing things right.”
Founded after years of Diaz’s involvement in the ice cream world through social media reviews, home experimentation, and industry experience, Papi’s Creamery began as a small-scale venture run from his home kitchen.
“I loved creating flavors,” Diaz said. “I love trying new stuff, and I was doing it at home quite often.”
What started as homemade pints sold through Facebook gradually evolved into a growing business. Diaz eventually expanded production through a partnership with Circa 1918 before moving into Papi’s Creamery’s own kitchen space as customer demand increased.
Unlike traditional scoop shops, Papi’s Creamery specializes in rotating weekly pint flavors rather than scooped servings, a model Diaz said allows the business to focus on creativity and quality.
The readers’ choice recognition, Diaz said, reflects more than just appreciation for the product, it highlights the relationship Papi’s Creamery has built within the Yorktown community.
“I think the biggest thing, it speaks to some of the products because people support us because they like our ice cream, but also speak that we built a good relationship with the people, and they’re willing to support us,” Diaz said.
Customer engagement has also helped shape the creamery’s menu, from social media flavor contests to customer-submitted concepts that inspire future creations.
Diaz, who moved to the United States nearly 10 years ago from Mexico and later settled in Virginia through a personal training opportunity, said his business is also powered by a dedicated team.
Looking ahead, Diaz said Papi’s Creamery’s focus will remain on consistency rather than drastic change. “I always say there’s one thing we do,” Diaz said. “And the one thing we do very well, and that is make ice cream and try to make the best ice cream that we possibly can.”
For Diaz, the award is both an achievement and motivation to continue serving customers with handcrafted quality and community connection.
“Make really good ice cream, continue to build a good relationship with people,” Diaz said. “That’s what we want to do.”
To learn more or to place an order, visit papiscreamery.com.
