by Reese McBride

It’s back! The Bellbrook business Dairy Shed has officially opened its doors for the 2024 season and its sign on Bellbrook Plaza Road displays the menu. Many locals anticipate this day after the little shop closes in the fall and they flock to the place after it has opened its sliding windows each spring.

Dairy Shed has been in Bellbrook since 1975 and throughout the 49 years they’ve been open, they’ve religiously served milkshakes and their famed ice cream.

“The most popular thing people order would have to be the hot fudge sundae,” Julia Fleck said. Fleck has been working at Dairy Shed for four seasons and she says that her favorite part is seeing people from the community.

Dairy Shed has become an integral part of Bellbrook culture. Because of its central downtown location and its proximity to the schools, many kids go down there after the school day ends or after local sporting events to enjoy more time with their friends and ice cream.

Dairy Shed is owned by a family located in Bellbrook, the Hummels. “My favorite thing about the Dairy Shed is our ability to create anything that you could ask for,” Dominic Hummel said. “For example, you can get something as simple as a small chocolate in a cone, or you can get a flurry with 20 pieces of candy. You can make it as complicated or as simple as you want.”

“The strangest thing somebody wanted me to make would have to be a Soda Shake,” Hummel said. “But instead of using the traditional caramel or chocolate sauce that we usually would use, they wanted Sprite for the flavor.”

“The weirdest thing I’ve been asked to make is a cherry-pineapple-mint shake,” Fleck said.

Although Dairy Shed has a set menu, usually they also have a special. “The specials depend on the popularity of the item. Pineapple Dole Whip, my personal favorite, will most likely be special because many people enjoy that flavor,” Hummel said.

On most days in the summer, you can find a line at Dairy Shed. It’s a fun family-oriented place to enjoy a cold sweet treat.