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Washtenaw Dairy- Ann Arbor Michigan " The Real Scoop"

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Missy Caulk TEAM

 Washtenaw Dairy Washtenaw Dairy in Ann Arbor, MI is with out a doubt THE best place to get ice-cream. Started in 1934, it is a legend in Ann Arbor, MI. It is owned by two partners Jim Smith and Doug Raba, and many of the employees have been there for 30-40 years.

Jim, one of the owners born in 1952, can remember his dad making the ice-cream and milk. Horses use to bring the milk to the dairy in 10 gallon cans and it was homozenized on the spot. Old Picture from the Ann Arbor Library

In 1976, the volume was too demanding so they sold or "farmed" out their recipes to Stroh's Ice Cream and Prairie Farms, a farmer's co-op to handle the production.

Nestled in a neighborhood, known as The Old West Side, it is a landmark and legend in Ann Arbor. The building is NOT remodeled and maintains the ambience of the neighborhood ice-cream parlor of years gone by.

 WAshtenaw Dairy location Located at 602 S. Ashley, it is only a few blocks from down-town Ann Arbor, and close to the University of Michigan Stadium. Close enough to Pioneer High School; you will often see many teens there during the day. Neighborhood families will walk to the dairy and sit and enjoy the outside benches. Anyone who has ever lived in Ann Arbor, makes it a stop on there return visits.

There is usually a line to get in, but no one seems to mind. The employees are warm and friendly and will let you try as many flavors as you want.

Washtenaw Dairy, is known for their HUGE SCOOPS, of ice-cream, with a single being the equivalent of a double in most ice-cream places. My favorite is the Swiss Almond Chocolate, with tons of almonds throughout it. But, there are sooooooooo many yummy flavors to choose from, it's hard to choose.

Washtenaw Dairy takes you back to your childhood, with outrageously good ice-cream, creamy and rich. When I want my clients to experience a "flavor" of Ann Arbor (no pun intended) we always stop by Washtenaw Dairy for an ice-cream cone to get our blood sugar up as we continue the search for the home they will fall in love with. Employee and a Single Dip of Swiss Almond Choc

 Display behind the counter WAshtenaw Dairy An Ann Arbor institution, 70 years in the business, back when horses brought the milk in, huge scoops, ambience of yester-year, great employees and THE Biggest SCOOP around what more could you want?

Washtenaw Dairy is open 7 days a week from 5:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. If you anywhere near Ann Arbor, take the time to visit this old-fashion ice-cream parlor. You will be glad you did. Oh, did I mention they also have fresh donuts made daily? No, well that's for another day.

You can even buy a T-Shirt. Washtenaw Dairy T shirt

 

 

 

Posted by

 

Missy Caulk, Ann Arbor Realtor

Missy Caulk, Broker/Owner of Savvy Realty Group can be reached at 734-926-9797 or email: Missy@MissyCaulk.com

Our Team of 6 agents are available to help you relocate to Ann Arbor, Saline, Dexter, Chelsea, Milan, Ypsilanti Township, Clinton, Manchester, Whitmore Lake, or throughout Washtenaw County, MI.

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Comments(39)

Thesa Chambers
West + Main - Bend, OR
Principal Broker - Licensed in Oregon
I recall going to a similar place as a child - it was so great - I bet this one is wonderful
Aug 19, 2007 06:39 PM
Kris Wales
Keller Williams Realty - Lakeside Market Center - Macomb, MI
Real Estate Blog & Homes for Sale search site, Macomb County MI
Missy, I definately will call you when I head that way again.  I would enjoy meeting you. 
Aug 19, 2007 10:03 PM
Missy Caulk
Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI
Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate

Leah, I love it too !! But, don't endulge too much. Some of our ice-cream places close in winter in MI. Have you ever ?

Marchel, building muscles, welll that is one way to look at it.

Cathy, I have fond memories of my dad and I getting ice-cream at night and driving to the river in Ky. It was peaceful. I will print it and take it to them or send a link in a couple of days.

Aug 19, 2007 10:16 PM
Missy Caulk
Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI
Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate

Stephanie, :)

Kay, thanks for stopping by.

Paula, a 15 scoop Sunday sounds heavenly.

Lynda, I love small businesses too, they are a dying breed. We have lost several in Ann Arbor over the years so it makes this one so special. The employees, young and old are fantastic.

Ashley, there is lots of nice stores on Ashley Street. So come on out. Someday when ABQ is HOT !!

Thesa, charming and fun !

 

Aug 19, 2007 10:21 PM
Jennifer Fivelsdal
JFIVE Home Realty LLC | 845-758-6842|162 Deer Run Rd Red Hook NY 12571 - Rhinebeck, NY
Mid Hudson Valley real estate connection
Missy - I have noticed that the ice cream shop is a very important place in a commnity.  You are also right that people down mind joining a long ice cream line.  I like the part in your post about way back when the horse brough the milk.
Aug 20, 2007 12:09 AM
Missy Caulk
Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI
Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate
Jennifer, amazing isn't it ? We use to not be able to buy milk in stores and gas stations.
Aug 20, 2007 12:28 AM
Chris Griffith
Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL - Bonita Springs, FL
Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent

Missy, this is GREAT.  I love the original building.  That's charm, right there.  I can't believe how huge that cone is! 

Thanks for entering the contest!  Everyone who posted is welcome to join in.  At worst, it's a great excuse to go out for ice cream!

Aug 20, 2007 12:43 AM
Missy Caulk
Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI
Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate
Thanks, it was fun to do. Yea, at worst or best ???
Aug 20, 2007 12:49 AM
Chris Griffith
Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL - Bonita Springs, FL
Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
Best?  LOL
Aug 20, 2007 12:53 AM
Neal Bloom
Brokered by eXp Realty LLC - Weston, FL
Realtor CRS-Weston FL Real Estate
I'm here in my old stomping grounds in NY and we have places just like this we can visit. In Florida it is not the same. Great looking Icecream!
Aug 20, 2007 12:54 AM
Susie Roscoe
Signature Realty Associates - Brandon, FL
Real Estate Specialist | Brandon, FL
I'm such an ICECREAM JUNKIE!!  I would have to visit this place regularly...and own a t-shirt!  Excellent post...how about iceceam for breakfast now?!?!  Sounds delicious to me!!  Washtenaw Dairy sounds like the perfect place in Ann Arbor!! 
Aug 22, 2007 12:12 AM
Missy Caulk
Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI
Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate

Neal, have fun ! It's fun to visit places with fond memories.

Susie, what's your favorite flavor.

Aug 22, 2007 12:37 AM
Chris Griffith
Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL - Bonita Springs, FL
Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
Way to go, Missy.  You've totally scored with a great Localism post. 
Aug 22, 2007 12:22 PM
Missy Caulk
Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI
Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate
Eric, welcome to activerain. It is such a fun place to visit and eat ice-cream.
Aug 23, 2007 02:00 AM
Karen Rice Keller Williams Real Est
Keller Williams Real Estate - Hawley, PA
Northeast PA & Lake Wallenpaupack Home Sales

This is the type of place I like to visit when I'm sightseeing.  Keep your franchised chains (except for old Tastee Freez stands, I guess) and give me the old fashioned mom & pop stores any day!  Wastenaw Dairy in Ann Arbor sounds like Central Dairy in Jefferson City MO.  When we were visiting Jeff City with my sister in law, she took us there and she said it was just as she remembered when she was a little girl and her dad used to take her there.

Places like these are so full of memories and character - you just can't get that at Rita's. 

Aug 26, 2007 02:16 PM
Missy Caulk
Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI
Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate
Karen, I enjoyed your Real Scoop. This is the first thing I've entered and it was fun.
Aug 26, 2007 03:16 PM
Karen Rice Keller Williams Real Est
Keller Williams Real Estate - Hawley, PA
Northeast PA & Lake Wallenpaupack Home Sales
Missy, thanks - I enjoyed yours too.  Even if the prize is a big fat nothing, it was fun and got our creative juices flowing a bit...hopefully it'll help us with Googlejuice too!  ;)
Aug 26, 2007 03:19 PM
Maureen McCabe
HER Realtors - Columbus, OH
Columbus Ohio Real Estate

I've only been to Ann Arbor once but maybe I will get there again....  and can try the ice cream... and compare it to "Rays" my favorite MI ice cream place.  Sara Lipnitz has a long ago AR entry about meeting Josh Plummer at Rays.  I had some great gelatto in Dearborn MI too...

I'll have to remember Washtenaw Dairy on "the old westside" though if we go back to visit Ann Arbor.  I'll track it down!     

Sep 01, 2007 02:42 AM
Missy Caulk
Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI
Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate

Maureen, call me if you do, my treat. Where is Ray's ?

Sep 01, 2007 03:03 AM
Maureen McCabe
HER Realtors - Columbus, OH
Columbus Ohio Real Estate
I would guess it is in Southfield but I could be totally wrong.  I usually have very little idea of where I am in the Metro Detroit area. I need to sometime watch a map and get my bearings.  I am not driving when we are there so I don't pay attention to what communities we are in.  Most of them all blur together to me.
Sep 01, 2007 04:10 AM