History of Kalona Old Fashioned Ice Cream Bars

Posted 9/27/22

My name is Janet Haberman Long and I grew up in Kalona.  I’d like to write about the start of the Kalona Old Fashioned Ice Cream Bars.

My dad, Archie J. Haberman, started the original …

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History of Kalona Old Fashioned Ice Cream Bars

Posted

My name is Janet Haberman Long and I grew up in Kalona.  I’d like to write about the start of the Kalona Old Fashioned Ice Cream Bars.

My dad, Archie J. Haberman, started the original Kalona Creamery on June 23, 1938.  He owned it and two of his brothers worked for him briefly to get it started.

He had local farmers bring in their own cream cans (mostly driving their buggies over a single tube that would let the men inside know to come out and bring the cream cans in).  This was churned into butter and most of it was shipped to New York during the War in a big semi with Haberman Creameries painted on the side.

During that time in the early 50s, he decided to start his own ice cream company and started making the first Kalona Old Fashioned Ice Cream Bars.  I remember going to the creamery in the evenings to help make the ice cream bars as it was hard to keep up with the demand.

During this time with the creamery, he gave out several gifts at Christmas time, which I’m sure some of the Kalona residents have one or more of to this day.

There were four different kinds of cream pitchers (given out over four years), a large green platter, a baster, a yard stick with phone #154 Kalona Creamery, salt and pepper shakers, a green dustpan with a long handle attached, and a Kalona Creamery apron for clothes pins.  Do we still use clothes pins?  Yes, I do!

He retired when he was 40 and sold the creamery to Moe Westrick.  It’s not clear who he sold the ice cream company to!

If you have any more information about the Kalona Creamery and the Kalona Old Fashioned Ice Cream Bars, I’d love to hear from you!

Yotty’s has continued to make the ice cream bars and they are still available.

My ambition was to also retire at 40 (like my dad) but I had my studio, “The Janet Long Dancers,” and my kids, and I taught dance for 43 years, retiring in 2015.  It’s been great!

Thanks, Janet Haberman Long

Iowa City

Editor’s Note: Advertising memorabilia from the Kalona Creamery, as well as other area businesses, will be a part of a future exhibit inside the Wahl Museum, Kalona Historical Village.  See more photos on our website: www.thenews-ia.com.