The Dairy Freeze - a "Second-dairy" business
/REMEMBERING THE DAIRY FREEZE by Vince Lynch
Unable to find a photo, Vince drew a sketch for us
Probably most will remember the Dairy Freeze being located in the north-east corner of the Esso gas station, across from the town hall and the then fire hall. However, it was originally located on the east side of town, near the current Tim Hortons. Here is the story:
The Dairy Freeze was built by Bruce MacKenzie in the mid 1950s. Bruce was the Sales Manager for the Deloro Smelting and Refining Company
The Dairy Freeze featured soft ice cream served in cones, sundaes and banana splits. Delicious milk shakes, hamburgers, hot dogs and fries were also on the menu.
Bruce’s son Brian, along with Joyce (Campion) Fraser and Terry Clemens worked at the Dairy Freeze. Joyce can remember once nodding-off, after a late night, to be awakened by a customer tapping on the window for service. Terry recalls being paid $25/week and remembers once spilling the ice cream milk product and being relieved that he was not reprimanded by Bruce.
With the closure of operations at Deloro, Bruce and family moved to Belleville in 1961 and Bruce sold the Dairy Freeze to Cec Neal, owner of Neal’s Dairy in Marmora. Cec decided to relocate the building to the north-east corner of the gas station property owned by Ron Whiteman.
It was a wise move, as it was more accessible for people living within walking distance and it was a must part of a stop to fill up with gas. It was also a mecca for those attending functions at the Town Hall; particularly teen dances.
Opening for the season
The Dairy Freeze was primarily operated by the daughters (Anne, Jane, Joy and Judy) of Cec and Verna Neal. It provided summer jobs for the girls and financial support for them to attend university. It was not unusual for friends of the girls to step inside to help serve customers during busy times, particularly during breaks at the teen dances. The girls walked 2 blocks to work, with the daily cash float in hand and would walk home (often in the dark) with the daily cash revenues. Different times indeed!!
Cec sold the Dairy Freeze to Ron Whiteman in the early 1970s. The Whiteman family operated the Dairy Freeze though to the late 1980s. Many local teens worked there over the years.
So there you have it. Everything we know in one fell “scoop”. If you have a Dairy Freeze memory, let us know (info@marmorahistory.ca)
The Neals: judy , joy, jane , and anne Verna and Cecil Cec’s retirement from the firse department 1989
