Historic CT Ice Cream Parlor Unexpectedly Returns For 2020

MERIDEN, CT — The owner of a popular Meriden ice cream parlor has announced that earlier plans to close have been scrapped and that the store will reopen this year. Les' Dairy Bar is considered a landmark, but owner Deb DiGiandomenico has said that operating the shop has taken its toll over the years.

However, an outpouring of support from fans helped her reverse her decision.

She wrote on Les' Dairy Bar's Facebook page: "Friday February 14th I made the decision to shake it off, and come back and OPEN for another season. I will do my best to try and open in March, but I have my work cut out for me. I will continue to strive for the high quality service and product at a fair price that you have come to know Les' for!

"Hoping for your continued support! Looking forward to seeing everyone, customers, employees, past employees and suppliers! With any luck at all, I will retire someday soon, with the right people taking over the Dairy!"

She said that the plan is to reopen in mid- to late March. The first part of the season, from March to May, is the most difficult part of the season, DiGiandemenico said, because it's before many of her employees have finished school.

There were potential buyers of the business, but DiGiandemenico said that these plans fell through.

Making the decision to reopen has resulted in fans of the historic ice cream parlor rejoicing.

"I am truly HUMBLED!" DiGiandemenico wrote on Facebook. "The amount of views, likes, shares, comments and private messages are overwhelming! So many encouraging comments, numerous offers of help, former employees offering to work and my suppliers are going the extra mile to get items in on time! Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

Les' history as an ice cream shop extends back to 1956, when the spot was opened as a a Dari-Delite franchise, according to The Meriden Record-Journal. The business was sold to Les Anderson, who changed its name. Rose and Albert DiGiandomenico bought the ice cream parlor in 1976 and later handed it over to Deb DiGiandomenico.