NexCen Brands Inc., New York, is paying about $36 million in cash and stock for MaggieMoo’s International, of Maryland, and Marble Slab Creamery, Houston, two national competitors in the mix-in ice cream shop business.

The move is NexCen’s first entry into the food business. The company recently acquired Athlete’s Foot and clothing designer Bill Blass Holding Co. The MaggieMoo and Marble Slab combination offers a better position to compete against the top player in the mix-in category, Cold Stone Creamery, Scottsdale, Ariz.