Love at Frost Bite

Vampire Penguin: Polk County’s Enchanted Parlor of Impossible Flavors

This is the story of a magical shaved snow shop where each spoonful transports customers into the world the flavor was inspired by, a feast for the eyes and even better for your soul. When I walked into Vampire Penguin on a steamy Saturday afternoon, the dark brownish brick walls enveloped me in a cool, celestial, adventurous hug. I had stopped by the shop before it opened earlier in the year, so it was a delight to finally experience firsthand the buzz around town for this remarkable culinary destination.

The place was packed, I counted 17 seats inside with a few café tables outside, and I found myself gazing from wall to wall at the original oil paintings and bookshelves that cocooned the space. I felt as though I had been transported back to Scotland; the interiors recalled a corner tavern where students from Hogwarts School of Wizardry might gather between classes. But it’s much more than that. Gideon’s Bakery at Disney Springs may have its spooky gothic feel down, but Vampire Penguin takes dark academia to another level. Chamber music drifted through the air, mingling with mouthwatering aromas, and flickering golden candles nestled among dusty tomes with titles like “The Popular History of England” and “Nerve Cells and Insect Behavior.”

Altogether, the atmosphere invites you to order one of their famous shaved snow creations and linger for a good long while. The shaved snow is a combination of the fine texture of Hawaiian ice with the creaminess of Taiwanese ice, and the nostalgia of an American snow cone, resulting in something totally new: a light, fluffy, and creamy dessert.

The idea of bringing Vampire Penguin to Lakeland was a family affair. Ken and Keni Parks, Natalie’s parents, acquired the license for all of Polk County. The family also gave Natalie and her husband, Caleb Leonard, free rein with the creative side of the business. While there are many Vampire Penguin locations, most lean toward a more childlike atmosphere. For Lakeland, Natalie decided to go in the exact opposite direction. After a Facebook Marketplace haul of seven hundred books, she literally sat on the stack of books and built the vision that would become the dessert shop you are now lucky enough to visit.

I asked Natalie who her target audience was in this city. “I am my own target audience as I created it around what I would like. I had the ability to create something around things that I cherish, and I was hoping people would stop by and give us a chance and they did. It was a risk but so far people really enjoy it. I figured if I am going to be spending hours at a place, I wanted to make that place somewhere I really want to be and so far, it’s worked.” She continued, “I have families, college students, tons of repeat customers, all kinds of people come here and that is just what I wanted for the shop. It means a lot to us when people come back.” Her mantra of creating a place in Lakeland where “everyone could come and escape the world” was fueled by her deep love of books and all things literary.

Transforming a historic building in downtown Lakeland was no easy feat. The family encountered hurdle after hurdle, from construction setbacks to the rigid demands of historic preservation, where, as Natalie put it, “something always had to be done a certain way.” Still, they endured, and the process only made them stronger. “There was roadblock after roadblock, and it felt like it was never going to end. You have to make one decision after another, all the while wondering, Is this the right one? After six months, it feels so small now, but back then it was incredibly stressful.”

Despite the innumerable challenges of opening a small business, Natalie said Lakeland was patient with them, and the family remains grateful for all the help they received throughout the lengthy renovation. Natalie oversaw the interiors and also named the menu items, choosing eclectic titles such as Me Before Ube, Edgar Allan Snow, Oliver Twix, Nevermore, A Tale of Blue Cities, War and Reese’s, Lord of the Pies, and my personal favorite, Platform 9 ¾, a divine blend of butterbeer-like flavor, whipped cream, and salted caramel. Natalie is especially proud to have dreamed up a Harry Potter–inspired dish. I tried very hard not to stop the interview and devour the whole thing in less than five minutes. I did manage to save a bit for my husband, Dwight, though he polished off his portion in under two minutes!

Desserts are not the only treats they offer. Their in-house coffee brand, Bat Brew Coffee, serves up creations like the Smocha, Autumn Rose Mitchell Dot Cake, and Butter Brew Latte. Don’t overlook the flavored drinks. The signature “melted” beverages, made from liquid “snow,” are irresistibly good. For something a bit lighter, there are boba teas in Oolong, Jasmine Green, and Thai, along with Colada Crush and Banana Nut Bread blended smoothies that delight the taste buds and leave you craving just one more sip.

Not content to stop at desserts, Caleb and Natalie are also enthusiastic supporters of local authors, and visitors can pick up a copy of “The Sacred Vine” by Victoria M. Sorenson or “Terra” by Sophia Simpson while they’re there. Their Lakeland shop is only the beginning of Vampire Penguin’s journey; they also plan to open a new location in Winter Haven. Natalie already has big dreams for the new space: “I’d love to have a stained-glass window in the hallway and a secret entrance via a bookcase, like they do in speakeasies.” Something tells me the next location will be just as enchanting, if not more so. The bar has already been set high, and the sky truly seems to be the limit.

The best part of this journey for Natalie, she said, has been all the new people she has met through the shop. “We’ve made some really cool connections that we wouldn’t have made otherwise. Some of the people who come here, we get to hang out with outside the store, so that has been a lot of fun. I love Lakeland so much. Because I’m not from here, my hometown is Lexington, Kentucky, I see this city with fresh eyes, and I wish more people could see it that way, because this is a truly special place.”

We wrapped up our conversation, and I slowly made my way to the door, taking in one last look at a place I have a feeling I’ll return to often. It may take me another six months to work my way through the entire menu, but I am more than ready for the challenge.

“Love at Frost Bite?” You bet!

VAMPIRE PENGUIN

216 E. Pine Street, Lakeland, FL

863-337-5715

Instagram @vampirepenguincafe

vampirepenquin.com

Photos by Kamryn Potteiger