GLADSTONE, Mich. (WZMQ) – The Gladstone Dairy Flo opened for the 2023 season on Wednesday. This is the ice cream shop’s first full season under its newest management.
Co-owner Brooke Johnson has a history with Dairy Flo. In fact, she has dreamed of owning it for years.
“Over 20 years ago, I worked here as a summer job,” Johnson said. “I worked here six summers in a row, and I always loved it. When I left I said, ‘If you ever sell, let me know. If the time’s right, I’ll do it.'”
When that owner was ready to sell, however, the time was not right for Johnson. Now, two owners and many years later, Johnson is finally behind the counter again.
Johnson officially took over Dairy Flo with her husband and co-owner Brad in November of 2022. They spent the winter redesigning the interior of the shop to look the way Johnson had always imagined it could be.
“I always envisioned kind of feminine, girly, childish, just fun colors,” she said.
The menu will also get a facelift. Items like ice cream nachos, specialty shakes, and a narwhal sundae with cotton candy are a few of the treats to be added in the coming months.
Before she even opened the doors, Johnson says the community already began to show her an incredible amount of support.
“When I told people we bought the Dairy Flo, 99.9% of them said, ‘You are going to rock this; you’re going to do great,'” said Johnson. “That’s been really encouraging.”
Johnson’s goal for the season is to give customers the same great experience they have enjoyed at Dairy Flo for decades.
“I hope that they can see that I really, really care about this place and care about pleasing them,” she said. “I hope that they want to come back and can’t wait to come back again.”
The Gladstone Dairy Flo is open from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The shop is open on Sundays from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. Hours will be extended as the weather gets warmer.
Visit the Gladstone Dairy Flo’s Facebook page to see when hours and menu items are updated.
