As the 'dog days of summer' approach, many of us seek a refreshing escape from the heat and summer doldrums. And more often than not, our thoughts turn to that quintessential warm-weather treat: ice cream. While many of us fondly remember childhood trips for a cone, few names evoke nostalgic Americana quite like Howard Johnson’s, an iconic brand that got its start right here in Norfolk County.
For decades, Howard Johnson's was more than just a restaurant chain; it was a roadside icon, a beacon for travelers, known for its distinctive orange roofs and, perhaps most famously, its 28 flavors of ice cream. What began in 1925 with Howard Deering Johnson selling ice cream from a small soda shop in Wollaston, a section of Quincy would turn in to the largest restaurant chain in the United States.
He enhanced ice cream quality by using a recipe that doubled butterfat, used only natural flavorings, and used hand-cranked makers to churn the chilled cream. By 1928 the ice cream was grossing $240,000 in sales in the store and at nearby beaches. The very last Howard Johnson's restaurant, located in Lake George, New York, closed its doors in 2022, marking the end of a nearly century-long era.
Click the link to watch the Good Deeds: History Comes Alive segment on Howard Johnson on our website here: https://www.norfolkdeeds.org/news-event/announcements/good-deeds-history-comes-alive-howard-johnsons
But even as a national giant receded into history, the spirit of local ice cream establishments has continued to thrive, particularly here in Norfolk County. These are the places that have stood the test of time.
The Bubbling Brook on 1652 High Street in Westwood opened in 1951 by original owners Hazel and Vival Ingraham who purchased the property from H.P. Hood & Sons Inc. (Deed recorded in book 2520, page 353). Ed and Gloria Cortas owned and operated the ice cream shop from 1988 to 1991 and since 2003. In 2005, their daughter Marie Adams became a joint owner.
Charlotte Yourell and her sister opened JJ's Dairy Hut in 1956 at 140 Chief Justice Cushing Highway in Cohasset. Their venture began after Kimball's ice cream store, a local favorite, closed the previous year. In 1977, Frank Loiacono purchased JJ's from the sisters, though Charlotte Yourell continued to work at the ice cream shop. The ownership changed hands again in 1989 when Lilly Sestito, who had started working at JJ's at just 13 years old, bought the business (lease recorded in book 4074, page 411). Both Frank Loiacono and Charlotte Yourell continued their dedication to JJ's, working there and training the next generation of “JJ's scoopers.”
In 1963, business partners John Wallace and John O’Faherty purchased a former Sunoco Gas station on 635 Adams Street in Quincy (Deed recorded in book 4074, page 509). That same year the owners transformed the location into an ice cream stand naming it Dairy Freeze. Both owners continued to play a part in the business for over 37 years.
Crescent Ridge started when founder Malby Perrish purchased farmland at 355 Bay Road in Sharon from Edith and Evelyn McBride (deed recorded in book 1957, page 593). The farm has been family-owned and operated since, originally delivering fresh milk in classic glass bottles. It wasn't until 1968 that the first Crescent Ridge Dairy Bar opened, using surplus milk to craft their now award-winning homemade ice cream. Generations of the Parrish family have continued the tradition.
The story of Black Cow Ice Cream, a seasonal ice cream shop at 1397 Main Street in Millis, began in 1997. Walter Walsh established the business, two years after he purchased Marcy's Seafood & Ice Cream in 1995 (deed recorded in book 11076, page 651). Today, his daughter, Charlotte Walsh, operates the family-run shop.
These local establishments represent more than just a cool treat on a hot day. They are deeply rooted in our communities and remind us that while some things change, the simple joy of an ice cream cone on a warm day is timeless.
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