Glover’s Ice Cream factory is back in consistent production with new local investors.
FRANKFORT, Ind. — What is believed to be the last independent ice cream company in Indiana is celebrating 100 years in business. Three generations have crafted Glover’s Ice Cream since 1925 at the factory on West Clinton Street in Frankfort.
But Stephen Glover, the grandson of founder Foster Glover, was ready to retire and sold the business about five years ago. Then, equipment failures and staffing issues halted production.
“We saw an opportunity, but more so a need to really revive this and bring it back in our community,” said Shan Sheridan, one of five local investors who recently purchased Glover’s Ice Cream and enlisted the help of Stephen to revive the company.
“They were very interested in starting it up and getting the name going again and getting the product going,” Stephen said. “The only deal was I had to come back and rebuild the plant, put it back together and make sure everything was working right, which I was happy to do, and teach them how to make ice cream.”
The recipes and flavors remain largely unchanged, using mostly the same manufacturing process as the past 100 years. The owners and their families work right on the production line. About 600 gallons of ice cream in several flavors are now being produced about every other week.
“Five families that are local families, and we all believe in this community, and I think that is the difference,” said Tony Del Real, another co-owner. “Every cup that gets filled is with love, and not just love for the product, but for the community and the legacy that was started by the Glover family.”
“What would my grandfather think?” Stephen wondered. “He started 1925 this little baby company, and to think that it’s still going at 100 years and doing strong. So, I’m really pleased and happy for them and for our family, too.”
Glover’s Ice Cream is available for purchase at the factory in Frankfort from noon to 5 p.m. on weekdays. You can also find it at several grocery stores, concession stands, and other restaurants and institutions in north central Indiana.
The new ownership group hopes to announce more widespread distribution in the near future.
