Velvet Ice Cream Company
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Food processing |
| Founded | 1914 in Utica, Ohio, United States |
| Founder | Joseph Dager |
| Headquarters | Utica , United States |
Key people | Joseph C. Dager (Chairman), Luconda Dager (President), Joanne Dager (Vice-President), Andre Dager (Vice-President) |
| Products | Ice cream |
Velvet Ice Cream is an ice cream producer headquartered in Utica, Ohio, established in 1914 by Joseph Dager, a Lebanese immigrant. This family-owned enterprise, now in its fourth generation, originated in the basement of a confectionery shop in Utica. In 1960, the business moved to 'Ye Olde Mill', located one mile south of its initial location. The company's leadership changed in 2009, with Joseph C. Dager appointed chairman, his daughter Luconda becoming president, and Joanne and Andre Dager serving as vice-presidents. In 2015, Velvet embarked on a $3 million project to expand its facilities by adding a warehouse, freezer space, and a distribution center.
Ye Olde Mill
The corporate headquarters, known as 'Ye Olde Mill', occupies a 20-acre site designed like a park and includes an ice cream museum, a visitor center, and a retail outlet. This location attracts more than 150,000 visitors each year. Since 1974, the Utica Ice Cream Festival has been held annually at Ye Olde Mill on Memorial Day.
Operations
Velvet reports annual revenues exceeding $30 million and distributes upwards of 5 million gallons of ice cream every year. Its retail footprint covers Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and West Virginia, while its food service distribution network extends across 26 states.
In April 2021, Velvet voluntarily recalled certain ice cream and sherbet items due to possible listeria contamination concerns.