Last Thursday, I had the opportunity to sit down with Sue Cates, who currently runs JC’s Dairy Den with her husband, Jim, and Jeanie Botos, whose mother, Jennie Hiller, built and opened the Missouri Valley staple back in 1954 and ran it until 1965.
The 70th anniversary for the iconic ice cream and sandwich stop is coming up this summer, and the folks who make things tick there are hard at work brainstorming ideas to make the celebration a truly special occasion.
I can tell you that there will be a limited edition ice cream flavor or two involved, and the Cates ask anyone who has ever worked at the Dairy Den in its long history to please stop by for a group photo and some reminiscing.
No more spoilers from me.
But I suppose I’d better share the date for this momentous event. Area folks, and any folks around the country (and maybe even the world?) who still subscribe to their hometown newspaper and are reading this, go ahead and mark your calendars for June 8.
For those who are curious, the Dairy Den opened on June 18, 1954. A grand opening with free cones was held on July 26 of that year.
Hiller bought the lot for $650, and some folks from Council Bluffs had the business built in three weeks. Today, it stands on the same lot and has essentially the same name.
I look forward to helping the Dairy Den celebrate 70 years in a couple months. I'm sure I'll see plenty of you there.
I’d also be remiss if I didn’t tease one of my upcoming stories, so be on the lookout for a feature story I’m putting together on the Dairy Den and its history. I’m planning that for one of our May editions.
If you’d like to share any of your Dairy Den memories, please email me at news@enterprisepub.com.
