The ice cream wasn’t the only thing chilly Saturday afternoon as people gathered for the opening of Kovener’s Korner ice cream store’s 75th year of serving the tasty treat from its location on Seymour’s near west side.
“It’s never too cold to get some ice cream,” longtime Seymour resident Shirley Runge said.
Strong winds and cool temperatures throughout the day didn’t keep longtime customers such as Runge from stopping in to enjoy the start of what will be many treats in the months to come.
Kovener’s Korner began in 1949 when Bill and Lena Faye Kovener opened the small soft-serve ice cream shop at 712 W. Second St.
The shop began its life as a three-pump Standard Oil gasoline station. With the relocation of what was then State Road 50 into a city street in the early 1930s, it was converted into a convenience store.
During this time, Bill and Lena were traveling the country before returning home to start one of Seymour’s very first drive-in restaurants, which has now become a local favorite among residents.
Since the passing of the original owners, (Bill died in 2002 and Lena died in 2015), their sons, Rick and Gary Kovener, now own the small brick building with grandson Nick Kovener taking over as CEO in 2011.
“It’s nice that we have been able to carry on the tradition for 75 years now and see the impact the shop has made on the community,” he said.
Nick said over the 75 years, they have had a couple hundred employees and currently have 40 split between the shop and the fairly new ice cream truck.
“It’s funny to think about because back then, there would be only four to six people, and now, we have 40,” Kovener said.
Nick’s sister, Meredith, handles the marketing and advertising side of the business, and since the addition of the ice cream truck, she said they have been able to grow exponentially.
“With the ice cream truck, we have really been able to branch our business out to the community,” she said. “Some people have been in Seymour their whole lives and haven’t heard of Kovener’s, and the truck has helped with that.”
While the chocolate malt recipe put Kovener’s Korner on the map, the business has been heavily involved in the community throughout the years.
Over the years of operation, Kovener’s Korner has supported many clubs and organizations, including Seymour High School football, Girls Inc., the Jackson County Public Library and many others, through donations, sponsorships and events.
Seymour High School sophomore Brylee Ramsey has worked there the past two summers, and she enjoys serving the community and being with her peers.
“It’s a really positive environment to work in, and getting to serve the community is an added bonus,” she said. “I love getting the chocolate malt. It’s really good, and it’s a big seller.”
The Koveners said they always like seeing where the past employees go after their time with them.
“It’s kind of bittersweet to see some of our employees go follow their careers or go to college,” Meredith said. “It’s always nice to see who came back to Seymour listen to stories, as well.”
The Koveners said they have enjoyed the response from the community in seeing their excitement for the 75th anniversary.
“I’m now in my 13th year of working here and we have tripled our growth not just with the businesses but with our presence in the community. We are just so grateful,” Nick said.
Runge lives across the street from Kovener’s Korner and has been enjoying its frozen treats as far back as she can remember. A place of memories for her and her husband, who has since passed, she was enjoying a malt twist.
“I’ve been coming here all my life. It’s something my husband and I enjoyed,” she said. “I tell my friends when they come to get ice cream to sit on my front porch to enjoy it whether I am there or not.”
With the beginning of 75 years in operation, the Koveners have some exciting plans for the summer to celebrate but said they would like to keep it a secret for now.
“Stay tuned for some fun things we have planned for our 75th anniversary,” Nick said.
Kovener’s Korner opened Saturday and will serve frozen treats from 12:30 to 9:30 p.m. every day until Labor Day.