Vintage Venues: History of Herschleb Ice Cream Co.

In celebration of south Wood County's rich history, Vintage Venues — a Daily Tribune weekly feature — puts the spotlight on the past and the story behind some of the most historically significant local sites.

Herschleb Ice Cream Company, 640 16th St. S.

History: When Walter and Esther Herschleb bought Nick Vinckle's Ice Cream business in 1939, they didn't realize their company would survive for four generations. Their daughter, Jane and her husband, Herb Brehmer, took over the business in 1951 and their son, Tom, took over in 1981.

When the business started, it was located downtown near the Rapids Theater across from Wood County Bank. The Herschlebs lived in an apartment over the store and rented rooms there as well. Walter died in 1951, but the family continued to run the ice cream business in that location until 1946 when they leased the retail portion of the business to Bob and Ruth Luzenski and moved the ice cream operation to 640 16th St. S. Initially, they only sold ice cream products.

Tom Brehmer started in the business when he was 13, working with his father as he made ice cream.

"I can remember putting lids on ice cream cups," Brehmer said. "As soon as you could reach the counter, you went to work."

Tom Brehmer continued in the business until 2004. His wife, Kaaren, was secretary-treasurer of Herschleb Ice Cream Company, and Tom was president during that time. The titles meant they both did whatever was needed to keep the business going. Their two children were the fourth generation to work for the company; they did not want to continue when their parents retired.

An important part of the business was delivering ice cream.

"We sold ice cream in a 30-mile radius of the plant," Tom Brehmer said.

There were 34 corner grocery stores who ordered from Herschlebs and because the stores were small and refrigeration units could only hold so much, it often required making two to three trips a week to each of them. The larger grocery stores also bought Herschleb's ice cream. Tom Brehmer was one of many who delivered ice cream.

Tom's parents added a kitchen and enlarged the building on 16th Street South. There was a long counter where customers sat on stools and a small dining room. The family employed hundreds of kids through the years. Many came back each summer while in school, some working behind the counter; others, as car hops.

Tom Brehmer sold the business in 2004, but continued to make ice cream for a couple of years.

"I worked there for 45 years, and it was the only job I ever had," he said. He would start the day in the kitchen or behind the counter, and in the afternoon he could be repairing something. "There is not a job I haven't done and I say it with great pride."

Interesting fact: Some employees were there for many years, one almost for 50 years, several for 30 years and several families had two generations working at Herschleb at the same time.

Share ideas for Vintage Venues with Nancy Quick at redquick@wctc.net.