ASHLAND — Harley and Amanda Yoder purchased 428 Parkside Drive in June 2013.
Nearly 13 years later, the husband and wife have continued to operate a staple Ashland business — Yoder’s Red Barn Ice Cream — on the property located right next to Brookside Park.
“Never in our wildest dreams did we ever think we’d be building a brand new building,” Harley Yoder said near the end of April.
The building original to the property was built in the 1950s, he said. Popcorn and cotton candy were served out of the roughly 720-square-foot building — a convenient concession stand for folks attending ballgames at the park.
Ice cream was eventually added into the mix, but Harley Yoder said he’s not quite sure when that happened.
The original building was demolished this past winter. Cement walls were poured not too long after during a warm stretch, Amanda Yoder said. That allowed framing work to follow.
Yoder’s Red Barn typically opens its season April 1 and operates through Sept. 30. This year’s opening has understandably been delayed until the building is ready for customers.
The Yoders said they hope to be open for business sometime in May. Furthermore, they may potentially remain open a bit past their usual closing date at the end of September.
“We definitely are going to be (open) through October, especially this year,” Amanda Yoder said.
A new building is an investment in themselves, but also a way to thank the community for years of support, the Yoders said.
“If we didn’t have the community, we wouldn’t be where we are. It’s a win-win,” Harley Yoder said.
Increased business led to need for bigger space
Amanda Yoder said the business had reached a point where it outgrew the building.
“‘I would have stopped but your line was too long,'” Harley Yoder said. “We got that (comment) repeatedly.”
While a high volume of customers is largely a win, the Yoders said the layout of the building also presented efficiency issues which slowed employees’ abilities to prepare food and treats for customers.
The new building — which is nearly twice the size of the original — will have an assembly-style layout making for an easier and more efficient workflow. It will also feature new pieces of equipment, as well as air conditioning and a bathroom.
Larger storage spaces are another added perk of the new build, Amanda Yoder said.
“We could pack everything full and still only make it through a few days sometimes (in the old building),” she said. “Now we can keep a more steady supply, without running out for things.”
The exterior of the building also features fresh concrete and a patio with plenty of seating options, whether patrons want to soak up some sun or enjoy their ice cream in the shade.
There are more seating options in the shaded, wooded area behind the business as well.
The menu wasn’t forgotten about during construction either as ice cream flavor options will be increasing from 52 to 64, Amanda Yoder said.
‘Home away from home’
Improved business practices will also create more free time for the husband and wife to enjoy time with their four children — and each other.
The construction process has been a special time for the family, the Yoders said.
“They have all been such a big part of it. I couldn’t imagine doing it without them. They love to be involved and we love them to be involved. It definitely keeps us going,” Amanda Yoder said.
The married couple’s relationship began not long after Harley Yoder had just purchased the business. The Yoders worked together while also building a family together.
That feeling of family and community echoes into the ambience that is Yoder’s Red Barn Ice Cream.
“It’s our home away from home,” Amanda Yoder said.
