History
CELEBRATING 110 YEARS
HOW IT BEGAN
In 1903, a young Joseph Dager immigrated from Lebanon via Ellis Island to Ohio. Settling in Utica and officially founding the company in 1914, he commenced crafting ice cream in the basement of a confectionery, introducing three flavors: chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry.
Within two years, the company was producing 200 gallons of ice cream monthly, and the creamy, velvety texture inspired the name: Velvet Ice Cream.
A FAMILY AFFAIR
Velvet Ice Cream flourished as a family business when Joseph’s sons, Ed and Charles, established a manufacturing plant in the 1930s. They began supplying ice cream to local grocery stores and restaurants. When city ordinances posed distribution challenges, Charles played a pivotal role in amending them, opening avenues for expansion.
By 1950, third-generation brothers Joe and Mike Dager were immersed in learning the business from the ground up. Named co-vice presidents as sophomores in college and high school respectively after the passing of Joseph and Charles, they officially assumed leadership in the mid-1970s.
Focused on expanding distribution and creating a destination for visitors, Joe and Mike led Velvet Ice Cream for thirty years. In the mid-2000s, they passed the torch to the fourth generation—daughters Luconda and Joanne Dager. Joe continues to play a vital role as Chairman of the Board.
A PLACE FOR EVERYONE
In 1960, an old grist mill became the permanent home to Velvet Ice Cream. Renamed Ye Olde Mill, it housed a turn-of-the-century ice cream parlor that opened its doors in 1970 to visitors. A devastating fire struck in the late 1980s, but the building reopened a year later. Every summer since, over 100,000 visitors have enjoyed the traditions of Velvet Ice Cream at Ye Olde Mill.
110 YEARS OF TRADITION
Velvet Ice Cream honors its family business legacy, crafting premium-quality ice cream using the same recipe Joseph Dager employed in 1914. Today, the company distributes over five million gallons of ice cream annually, with distribution centers across the Midwest region: Bucyrus, Chillicothe, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Ft. Wayne, Indianapolis, Louisville, and Marietta.
Historical Timeline
