Agricultural Origins
The shop began because John Dane was dissatisfied with the prices offered by bottling companies for his milk. He started by selling fresh milk, cream, eggs, butter, and cottage cheese directly from the family farm.
The Rise of Soft Serve
While the initial focus was on general dairy products, the addition of a soft-serve machine proved to be a turning point. By the late 1960s, the popularity of their fresh soft serve led the family to shift the business focus entirely toward frozen treats to compete with rising grocery store chains.
New Ownership, Same Spirit
After 64 years of being family-owned, the business underwent a significant change in early 2024. Longtime owner Donna Dane (daughter of the founders) retired, selling the shop to Joshua Luerkens and Mariah Ritter, both of whom have previous ties to the Dane family and the shop.
Our Story
An Iowa City tradition since 1960.
What began as a family farm stand has grown into one of Iowa City's most beloved landmarks. For over sixty years, the Dane family served their community with homemade soft serve, fresh dairy, and a whole lot of heart. That same spirit carries on today under new ownership — still made fresh, still made with love.