Layne Montgomery’s dairy-free ice gelato and sorbet company Daverro Gelato found a home in a former barber shop in the Hub shopping center, and opened on Sept. 7.

If you haven’t yet tried Montgomery’s creations, you might be thinking dairy-free gelato? How can it be? “The most important thing to me is that the gelato is really high quality, delicious and just as good as what you’d get in Italy,” Montgomery says.

And she knows good gelato.

After graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University, Montgomery lived throughout Italy and in Istanbul, Turkey, where she traveled frequently throughout various European countries, eating plenty of the artisanal frozen treat. In 2018, she attended Carpigiani Gelato University in Bologna, Italy, where she spent three weeks delving deep into the science and basic recipe ratios of gelato making.

Later that year, she moved back to Richmond to be closer to family. Montgomery is vegetarian, not vegan, and her mother has a dairy allergy. As she focused on her own business, she wanted to create something her mom, and anyone with or without dietary restrictions could enjoy. It took several months to create her first successful dairy-free gelato recipe, which featured a base of oat milk she made herself. Davvero Gelato launched in 2020 as a gelato and sorbet delivery business, and evolved into a hand-painted gelato cart that popped up around town — often at Libby Hill Park — that could be rented for private events.

As her business grew over the last four years, Montgomery evolved her recipes. She now makes different bases for different flavors, describing most as “naturally vegan.” Fruit-based flavors feature only fruit, sugar and water. And nut-based flavors are made from nut pastes Montgomery makes as well. She focuses on following traditional gelato recipe ratios, replacing the traditional ingredients with dairy-free and allergen-friendly elements. “It can be just as creamy and often even more flavorful than the dairy,” she said. She also sources as many small business and local ingredients as possible with a focus on ethically sourced chocolate and coffee.

A particular challenge when it comes to dairy-free sweets is creating a vanilla base flavor that doesn’t have a coconut or other aftertaste. Montgomery developed her own cashew cream base that provides a clean, creamy flavor. “If I don’t think a flavor tastes as good as what I could get in a dairy version, I don’t do it,” she says.

She took over the lease to her shop last November and began renovations in February, and the 500-square-feet space needed a total transformation. Inside is to-go only and there’s also an outdoor seating area.

To start, the menu will feature gelato served in cups — the case has room for about ten flavors that will rotate regularly. Montgomery envisions two to three nut-based flavors, something chocolate, two to three fruit-based flavors and some fun specials. Gluten-free chocolate-chip cookie dough gelato with homemade, oat flour-based edible cookie dough will likely make an appearance. Other popular specials that will hit the menu at some point include tahini with pomegranate molasses and ube cream with salted coconut jam.

Davvero Gelato will also offer treats like a frapogato, Montgomery’s own creation of Greek whipped coffee with a scoop of gelato in it. And there will be gelato panini featuring gelato pressed between toasted brioche. Davvero’s smooth nut butters in flavors like pistachio cream, lemon almond cookie and gianduia will also be available for sale.

During the opening process, Montgomery sent a neighborhood survey, and based on results, she’ll be adding an espresso program in about a month, as well as more seasonal specials and pastries. When the weather turns cold, Davvero will shift focus to hot beverages like high-quality sipping chocolate, and a vegan take on the traditional Turkish drink salep that’s made from wild orchid root with warming cinnamon notes. There will still be gelato available at the shop alongside seasonal chocolate and pastry specials, and the cart will continue to pop up in spots like Libby Hill Park and for private events.

Initial hours for Davvero Gelato will be Thursday from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., Friday from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. with morning hours coming in October.

Davarro Gelato is located at 6931 Lakeside Ave.