In 2009, founders Arita and Andre Matini opened their first Sweet Leaf in McLean, just a couple of miles from their high school. They made a deal with the owner of the local ice cream shop to take over the location while also agreeing to continue offering their local ice cream. Over the years, they gradually remodeled the store, adding outdoor seating and landscaping to revive the quaint charm the building had in the late 80s.  As word spread of this creative spot, more and more people would get in line to see what Sweet Leaf was all about. The McLean store brought our whole family together, as we all pitched in to get this store open. Mother, father, son and daughter, all working side by side to get this store open in just a few months. Now, it’s our flagship location and one of the few places in McLean that still captures the feel of the original town.