Subscribe by RSS
Dairyhaus celebrating serving up 40 years of summer fun
Rockton’s Dairyhaus has been serving up summer fun on Main Street for the past 40 years. This unique ice cream shop has a rich history dating back to 1983 when the business celebrated with a Grand Opening on Memorial Day.
The original owner of the Dairyhaus was Chuck Gilbert. Gilbert reflects on what makes the Dairyhaus special. “It is a combination of quality ice cream, the store is housed in a historical building with detailed decor, and outside they have grass and outdoor seating.”
Gilbert had a strong background in soft serve and batch machines as he previously had worked at Taylor Freezer, (Taylor Company) from 1977 until 2014.
“When I first had the desire to open an ice cream shop in Rockton I saw an ad on the front page of the Herald Newspaper,” Gilbert said.
“Getting permission to open the shop worked perfectly. I had to get approval from the Talcott Free Library board who owns the Dairyhaus building.”
Gilbert made a presentation to the board that approved the lease of the historic building at tax and insurance expense, aimed for a seasonal business.
Prior to becoming a business the building was a personal residence. The home had been leased to many people over the years. When the library no longer had the money for maintenance and upkeep the building had to have a different use. Gilbert made improvements to the building, had the logo redesigned and added red awnings and flower boxes.
Per the building’s history, at one time the building was used as a saddle shop.
Standard ice cream formulas start with a percentage of 10% butter fat and are 100% overrun.
“The ice cream is more expensive but is better tasting,” Gilbert said.
In 1926 Charles Taylor developed the first Taylor Model 121 Batch machine, the Dairyhaus was the first to use the Taylor machine. After that it was sold worldwide.
The Taylor batch freezer was made to produce a percentage of less air, and more of a dense and flavorful ice cream. Less air and higher butter fat are two key ways to make high quality ice cream.
The Dairyhaus’s slogan has always been, “Made Fresh Daily.”
Charlene and Ron Warren took over the reins prior to the time that the Murray family purchased the Dairyhaus. Charlene Warren was the Dairymaids Manager for a number of years before becoming the business owner.
In 1996 the Murray family, Annie, Mo, Brent and his sister Kelly purchased the Dairymaids, and it has been family run ever since.
Current Owner Brent Murray started working at the Dairymaids when he was 15 years old, learning the business from the ground up. Coming from a family with a strong work ethic, he also had a paper route at the age of 12. Murray is a 1999 graduate, and Hononegah High School Alumni.
Over the years visitors have enjoyed homemade or soft serve ice cream in the form of cones, sundaes, or specialty flavors; some made especially for special events.
Many high school students or the younger generation got their start by working at the Dairyhaus. Murray loves teaching his employees the ropes of the business and has developed close ties with each.
Murray himself has shown great community pride over the years. He has generously donated in support of different groups, organizations or events. He is a member of Rockton Lions Club.
Murray and the Dairyhaus have been nominated and have won “Pride of the Stateline ” award from the Stateline Chamber of Commerce. Murray serves as the Secretary for the Village of Rockton’s Planning Commission. The Dairyhaus has also earned “What Rocks” honors seven out of eight years, per public vote.
As his staff and Village President John Peterson looked on, John Groh of the Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Center presented Brent Murray with the “Illinois Made” award on Friday, May 4, 2023.
In honor of their 40 years in business new T-shirts were designed in collaboration with Rockford art Deli. “The character we used on the shirts is called, ‘The Haus Monster,’” Brent Murray said. “We will have some Haus Monster limited editions and will use this logo throughout the year.
“During the holidays a different version will be used along with special ice cream.
Murray now uses a new device, a square terminal, which he calls, “My toy.” Murray says, “I can talk to customers outside through this device. This gives us another option to head back toward the old Dairyhaus, where we have more long term interaction with customers.”
“Hopes are, that by the middle of the season, the staff can pivot away from the windows and to have two people standing outside taking orders, then bringing them out. “Our staff likes to call this, “Portilloizing.”
Quarts will continue to be sold at local grocery stores, along with a newly packaged single scoop. Two places the single scoop can be found are at Klehm Arboretum and at Hilton Garden Inn, “I anticipate having more locations offering both sizes,” Murray said.
In 2023, marking their 40th anniversary in Rockton, new flavors are being introduced. New hours have been set. The Dairyhaus will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m, In the summer they will be open from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m.
Join the fun as the Dairyhaus celebrates 40 years of serving up summer fun.
