East Troy ice cream parlor pays homage to the old-fashioned soda fountain
By Tracy Ouellette
Editor
Anyone wanting a glimpse into the past can find it at Lauber’s Old Fashion Ice Cream, 2010 Church St., East Troy. The shop is an operating replica of the old drug store soda fountains that were common in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Owner John Lauber opened the ice cream shop 40 years ago in East Troy to share his love of an industry that’s all but disappeared.
“I remember going to the old drug store soda fountains as a kid and I just loved them,” he said.
One of the founders of the East Troy Electric Railroad Museum, Lauber said having his dream ice cream store in the area was a natural progression.
He also discovered he had roots in the East Troy area.
“I grew up in Milwaukee and I knew I had relatives in East Troy, apparently my great-grandfather was the only one to move out of the area to Milwaukee.”
Over the years, he’s found “all kinds of extended family” ties in the area.
So, opening a business 30 miles from his home seemed almost destined. Especially when opportunity dropped into his lap.
“One of the old drug stores in Milwaukee was getting rid of all their stuff and I bought it,” he said. “Equity Co-op owned the building at the time and I talked to them about renting the space.
The building has changed owners several times over the last four decades, but Lauber’s is a mainstay of the community.
Situated right next to the Railroad Museum, the ice cream shop attracts visitors from all over who ride the trains from East Troy to Mukwonago.
But it’s the regulars who frequent the store that makes it all worthwhile for Lauber. Some of them stopping by every week and others traveling from outside the area on a regular basis just for the ice cream and atmosphere.
Lauber said most of the items used in the shop are from the Milwaukee area with a few smaller things picked up here and there over the years to outfit the shop. He has walls of antique soda fountain equipment, old-fashioned wood booths, an ice cream bar and a “penny” candy counter where children can spend their bits of money on things like candy dots and lollipops.
Lauber has employed many of the area’s teenagers over the years, taking pride that he is now experiencing second-generation helpers behind the counter, pointing out East Troy High School senior Miles Kilpin, who’s father Rick worked for Lauber in the mid-1970s. Miles is in his second year at the ice cream shop.
“I would probably have even more of them, but some of the families have moved away,” he said.
The ice cream parlor is open on the weekends through the end of October. Hours are: Friday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from noon to 9 p.m.
The shop closes for the colder months and reopens in the beginning of May.
Lauber lives in Milwaukee and also owns Raasch-Raetz Funeral Home, Inc. with his partner.
For more information, call (262) 642-3679.
