I've been a fan of Kawartha Dairy for as long as I can remember. Their ice cream always brings me back to summers spent up north.

So, when I heard they opened a location on the Danforth, I was intrigued and wanted to find out where it all began.

The origins of Kawartha Dairy

Kawartha Dairy started in 1937 when Jack and Ila Crowe purchased a modest dairy in the beautiful small town of Bobcaygeon. At the time, they delivered milk to local homes by horse and buggy, using ice cut from nearby lakes to keep things cool.

Mike Crowe, a third-generation owner who started working on his grandparents' dairy when he was around 10-years-old, shared some insight into the dairy's history with me.

An original Kawartha Dairy delivery vehicle.

"Back then, it was a three-room building. My grandparents didn't have much, but they had a vision. They wanted to provide their community with quality dairy products."  

And that's exactly what they did. For the Crowe family, it was always about quality and community. "Just like our products continue to be made the traditional way with fresh milk and cream from local farms, staying true to our roots remains very important," Crowe highlighted.

In the 1950s, Jack Crowe travelled to the Ontario Agricultural College in Guelph to learn the craft of making ice cream.

"I'm sure at the time my grandpa had no idea how important that decision was and how beloved Kawartha Dairy ice cream would become over the next decades," Crowe said.

Jack Crowe, founder of Kawartha Dairy. 

As demand grew, the Crowe family expanded Kawartha Dairy beyond Bobcaygeon, opening their Minden location in the 1960s. It was a pivotal moment for the brand, as they began to introduce more people to their products.

"It became so popular that the store tripled in size to keep up with demand, and they added outdoor walk-up windows to serve summer visitors," Crowe shared, emphasizing the importance of the location and how it helped the brand grow into what it is today.

Jack and Ila Crowe.

If you've visited a rural Kawartha Dairy location, you know all about the long summer lines. There's something about standing outside a small town Kawartha Dairy, waiting for a cone after a day at the lake, that makes the ice cream taste even better.

Kawartha Dairy exudes small town Ontario vibes

Despite the company's expansion over the years, including more stores across Ontario, the heart of Kawartha Dairy has always remained in Bobcaygeon. Even as their ice cream has become a staple throughout the province, they've managed to keep that small-town, family-run feel.

"We still make all our premium, rich, and creamy milk and ice cream at the same site where it all started with my grandparents," Crowe said, highlighting that commitment to their roots is what sets Kawartha Dairy apart from so many other brands.

Kawartha Dairy milk man making deliveries with his horse-drawn wagon.

Now that Kawartha Dairy has opened its first store in Toronto, it feels like a big leap. But, for Crowe, the goal was always the same: to bring their beloved products to more people while staying connected to their heritage.

"We look forward to making great family memories with the community," Crowe said regarding the newest location right here in Toronto. The Danforth location is Kawartha Dairy's third new location this year, following the openings of their Burlington and Cobourg stores.

Inside the Kawartha Dairy on the Danforth. Photo by Fareen Karim.

And even though I was thrilled to have a new spot to grab my favourite ice cream closer to home, there's still something special about taking a trip to Bobcaygeon. The original store, in the heart of cottage country, is a reminder of where it all began.

Bobcaygeon will always be the true home of Kawartha Dairy. If you've never been, it's worth a visit. It's a classic Ontario small town, with its cozy streets and serene lakes, and there's something about enjoying a cone where it all started that makes it taste that much sweeter.