In August 2021, Fairfax County optometrist Robin Rinearson opened Jake’s Ice Cream in the Barcroft Plaza Shopping Center, hiring 24 employees with disabilities. The shop was named after her nephew Jake, who has cerebral palsy, and was born out of a need to protect people with disabilities from pandemic‑era job loss. Rinearson’s goal was to provide long‑term, meaningful employment rather than seasonal work. The business has since expanded to a second location, Jake’s Gourmet Popcorn, which adds 11 more jobs.
Fairfax County supervisors formally recognized Rinearson on August 25 for her inclusive hiring practices, and the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society (PBATS) awarded her the 2026 Ability Transcends Challenges Award. PBATS highlighted the shops as exemplary models of disability inclusion beyond sports. The award, backed by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy, acknowledges businesses that expand opportunities for disabled workers.
Today, the combined workforce of the two shops stands at 35, yet the demand far exceeds supply, leaving a waiting list of candidates eager for employment. Many workers stay for years and recommend the positions to others, creating a self‑sustaining talent pipeline. The shops have become a local employment ecosystem that supports skill development and independence.
Rinearson’s model aligns with national trends toward inclusive hiring, and her shops have drawn attention from local media and the broader disability community. The shops’ success demonstrates how small businesses can create lasting social impact while providing profitable services.
The PBATS award positions the shops as a benchmark for inclusive employment, and Rinearson plans to expand her model to a third location next year.