Go in for a treat at the new Reed’s Dairy store in Idaho Falls
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IDAHO FALLS — From fresh ice cream and grilled cheese sandwiches to waffles cones made on site — the new Reed’s Dairy store is well worth stopping in for a snack or a treat.
A large crowd gathered at the new store on West Broadway Wednesday for a ribbon cutting and to celebrate the growth of a longtime business. Owners and well wishers came to celebrate the culmination of months of work on the new building, but also the culmination of many generations of hard work.
The new store sits on the very spot the farm has been located since 1910. The property includes the original house, which is now the office, plus processing buildings and the new store. What were humble beginnings then have turned into something extraordinary, the owners explained.
“I was born in that house right over there (in 1931),” said LeRoy Reed.
As a kid on the farm, LeRoy and his brothers helped their dad raise pigs, but then as adults they decided to sell the pigs and buy cows instead.
“We bought 24 cows, and as we were milking, neighbors wanted to buy the milk,” he said. At first people brought their own bottles, but things grew and changed to where the brothers decided to put in milk processing and delivery.
For a time they were selling their cows’ cream to Farr’s, but then decided to use that cream to make their own ice cream. The rest is history.
General Contractor Von White of White Home Construction built the original Reed’s Dairy store on West Broadway in 1975 and people have been stopping in for ice cream and milk ever since. They’ve also added grilled cheese, homemade waffle cones, and a few other things to the menu.
But the ice cream? It is a legend locally and across the state.
“It’s all natural,” LeRoy explained. “That’s how it’s supposed to be.”
They hit a nerve, and the business has grown over the years. So much so that it became obvious that the old store just wasn’t big enough anymore. In the summertime, the old drive-thru structure at Reed’s Dairy was demolished to make way for the new store. LeRoy’s son, Alan Reed, had a vision of what it could eventually be.
“I drew the outline on the asphalt with spray paint,” Alan said. “We wanted someplace where people could sit and relax and have some ice cream. In the old store, it was a hassle to get in and out. Now they can sit, watch TV, and hang out. This is for the community.”
They asked White to be the general contractor again, and he has loved working with the Reeds.
“They are a first-class outfit,” he said. “They are wonderful to work with. That’s why they’ve grown.”
The new building is just under 3,000 square feet and seats 40 people. It offers everything retail, including ice cream, homemade waffle cones, milk, cheese, grilled cheese sandwiches, grilled ham and cheese sandwiches, tomato basil soup, plus soft serve and non-dairy gelato.
Sam Reed, operations manager, said they’ve already accommodated bigger groups than they would have been able to at the old store.
“That was our biggest push to get this new store built,” he said. “We are hoping this helps business to keep growing — to give them a reason to stop in.”
As part of the grand opening, Reed’s Dairy will be offering specials on a variety of their products throughout the week. Thursday is free soft-serve day. They are also holding a raffle until Dec. 30, that will benefit The Haven.
