Re-printed with permission from the Norton Trading Post

Sunday, August 14, 2005

Welch’s Dairy Cream Celebrates 20 years
Family-owned Norton ice cream stand has been keeping dessert lovers screaming for more since 1985

By: Neva Gibson

I can't think of anything quite as refreshing on a hot summer day as an ice cream treat.  As a young girl, I can remember how special it was to go to Mr. Nice's Kreme Kup and have Mr. Nice (who was also my bus driver) wait on me and personally make me a vanilla cone.  What could be better than having your very own bus driver also own an ice cream store.  Bob Nice was also a well-known and respected figure in the Norton community and I still recall thinking how appropriate his name was because he was such a very "nice" man.

The building itself was originally built in 1952 as an ice cream store and throughout its history it has remained just that.  In 1985, Susan and Don Welch purchased Nice's Kreme Kup and they opened for business in April of that year.  This young couple renamed their newly acquired business, Welch's Dairy Cream.

Since that time, I'm sure Norton residents have noticed the many changes that have taken place over the years.  First, the Welch's removed the original flat roof and replaced it with one that was peaked.  Next, they extended the front of the building increasing it from two to three windows.  The Welches later acquired the property next door and added a drive through.  Lastly, they developed a lovely, fenced in garden with seating in the back.

From the start, Susan and Don wanted their ice cream store to have a unique atmosphere.  Little by little their store began evolving, not only with its appearance, but also with the creative expertise of Susan's food service background.  Susan was formerly a home-economics teacher and she holds a degree in food service management and a specialty in job training and food service.  Susan told me that both she and Don, "Wanted a true ice cream store but in a soft-serve fashion."  Being very creative, Susan began experimenting with different flavors and ingredients.  She "wanted a store that would offer a smooth, rich and creamy product along with the same creamy taste in a low-fat yogurt."

Wanting to keep Welch's a unique, one-of-a-kind family-run business, Susan and Don offer a large variety of ice cream treats. I received one of Welch's Dairy Cream's colorful menus and after consulting with several area residents, I discovered some of their "home-town" dessert favorites.  The following specialty treats received rave reviews: Trail· Blazer, Snappy Turtle, Monster Slush, Fresh Banana Moo, and the Banana Nut Parfait. Many Nortonians also enjoy the Arctic Swirl (21 different flavors) and the specialty flavored cones. I personally can speak about several items on their menu. The Mochachino is truly the best iced coffee drink I ever tasted!  The Tiramisu flavored ice cream is also delicious and the Welch's chocolate ice cream is especially smooth and creamy.  I'm usually a vanilla person, but after sampling their chocolate, I've changed my preference.  Their ice cream toppings: peanut butter sauce, cherry, pineapple and more are also homemade.  Susan and Don' s business has also been recognized throughout Ohio, Welch's Dairy Cream has won First Place honors at the Ohio Fast Food and Restaurant shows with some of their unrivaled frozen delights.  The Welch's are .constantly inventing new and exciting flavors and their latest creation is called the Buckeye Take 5, which, by the way, is also delicious!

Besides offering mouth watering ice cream treats, Welch's also expanded their menu to offer food items.  Keeping with their desire to "keep .it unique," Susan selects only the best of products.  New on the menu this year is the BBQ pork sandwich on a golden egg bun with a "pinch" of zest in the sauce.  Welch's English style fish and chips served with malt vinegar and tartar sauce was brought back this year due to popular demand.  The Coney sauce served at Welch's is also homemade as is the special horseradish dipping sauce served with their tasty onion rings.  During our conversation, Susan informed me that "Don and her father have been real motivators.  They both designed and constructed the landscaping for Welch's Dairy Cream.  Don also does all the inside work and trains the staff."  She feels that because both of their backgrounds have been in teaching (Don teaches at Revere), they have been able to "train their staff in a caring arid productive way as well as teach them life-long skills."  Many of their employees have been with them for a number of years.  Susan continued, "Johanna has been with us for 19 years and we have employed many college students who now act as supervisors."  The Welch's are also known for supporting and hiring Norton High School students every summer.

Susan and I also chatted about Bob Nice.  She said, "He was such a wonderful man. He befriended us after we purchased the ice cream stand and visited just about every night.  He was very pleased with how we were developing the store."