Rockton’s Dairyhaus celebrating 35 years in community, reopens for season

MARIANNE MUELLER PHOTO The Herald
Opening Day at Dairy Haus
Part of the Dairyhaus crew was on hand and ready to welcome a steady stream of customers during the opening of a new season on March 31.

By Marianne Mueller
REPORTER
Behind the doors of the Dairyhaus is a welcoming, family friendly atmosphere purely run and operated by family.
The Dairyhaus is housed in a Greek revival style building originally built in 1853; it is one of Rocktons oldest build-ings. Ice Cream is now available all week long after the Dairyhaus reopened for the season on Friday, March 31.
In 1983 Chuck Gilbert of Rockton was working at Taylor Freezer whose freezers are used at the Dairyhaus. Gilbert took ownership of the Dairyhaus and noticed that the building was in need. He took action to save the building.
The back half was torn down and opened up. Gilbert ran the Dairyhaus a number of years before selling it to the Warren family who operated the business another six years. The entire Murray family entered the picture in 1995 and remains today. This year the business became incorporated. Currently the Dairyhaus has 26 employees with ages ranging from 14-26, including Brent and his wife.
Pictures line the walls of past and present Dairyhaus employee teams. Many young workers get their start by working in the summer at the Dairyhaus.
Inside the Dairyhaus choices of over 60 varieties of homemade ice cream, or soft serve, specialty sundaes, waffle cones, blizzards, regular cones, and much more offer something catering to every taste. New flavors are consistently being introduced.
Year round quarts of Dairyhaus ice cream can be purchased at Woodmans or Sugar Britches in Rockton. Sugar Britches sells the ice cream when the Dairyhaus is closed for the season so people do not have to drive too far allowing them to pick up favorites they might be missing.
Murray and his staff have hosted ‘Nasty Nights,’ and are community supporters. They support the Rockton Lion’s Club, local school systems, various youth leagues, along with many other groups. During the past few Christmas Walks the Dairyhaus has become the Santa house and welcomes visitors who want ice cream in the winter. The Dairyhaus also donates ice cream to Talcott Library’s summer reading ice cream social.
The Dairyhaus is showcasing a series of videos on facebook that help to better tell this unique business story including details on how the ice cream is made.
When Dairyhaus customers enter they are always met with a smile and a warm greeting. What are a few customer favorites? “I wish they would bring back the bacon ice cream, “said Rockton Village Trustee, John Peterson. Marina Chiodini is planning to pick up Blue Moon ice cream to take back to college with her. Mike and Val Hunter both like the butter pecan. “Butter pecan was my Mother-n-laws favorite; she knew what she was doing,” says Val.”
“I love the wedding cake, said Angela Henbest.
“Our most popular treat is a
For complete story, pick up this week’s print edition.