When driving down North Second in Loves Park, it’s hard to miss the cow-printed wall at Dairy Depot. The highlight of the summer for me was going to Dairy Depot with my Paw and getting a chocolate dipped in chocolate ice cream cone and sometimes I would even splurge for sprinkles.
Though Dairy Depot first opened its doors in 1984, Diane and John Elliot bought the local ice cream parlor in 2000. When Diane’s husband John passed away from a heart attack in 2018, she had a lifetime employee take over while she figured out her next steps.
A month ago, she announced Dairy Depot was for sale and just like that, a local favorite has new owners. Along with the keys to the building, Diane passed the torch to Robert and Diana Witt, who also received a key to the city.
“Yeah, we’re purchasing the business, but we want to carry on the tradition. The tradition that’s been there for 20 years and something we want to hold good for them too,” said Robert Witt.
Along with any other former employee who would like to keep working there, they said their kids will also help run the business.
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