In 1921, Percy W. and Charles V. Dake began making Dake's Delicious Ice Cream at the farm on Daketown Road in Greenfield, New York.
Saratoga Dairy was started in 1935 in the Old Patsy Hayes barn on Franklin Street in Saratoga Springs, NY. Owned and operated by P.W. and C.V. Dake, this plant pasteurized and bottled milk from many local farmers. With New York passing a law in 1935 stating that all milk had to be pasteurized, many dairy farmers would have dissolved had it not been for Saratoga Dairy and its modern equipment. In 1938, the Dake Brothers purchased the old city water works building on Excelsior Avenue, which became the new home of Saratoga Dairy. It provided the necessary space for anticipated growth and expansion.
In 1940, Stewart's acquired the "Big Barn" in the town of Greenfield, where cheese, powdered whey and casein were made. Milk was shipped to this plant from most of New England and as far away as Maryland. It was truly a blessing for farmers in the Eastern United States, since, at times, it was one of the few markets for their milk. With the fluid plant well underway, Stewart's Ice Cream Co. would become the next step in the dairy business for the Dake Brothers.
In 1945, the Dakes purchased a dairy, ice cream freezer, hardening room and shop from Donald Stewart of Ballston Spa, New York. The purchase of this plant coincided with the discharge of Charles S. Dake, son of C.V. Dake, from the Army. This young veteran, intrigued by the ice cream plant, decided to start production and sell ice cream in the shop located on busy Route 50 in Ballston Spa. The first Stewart's Shop was born! Two more shops were soon opened in Saratoga Springs and South Glens Falls. Since these were post-war times, people were starved for sweets and would stand in line waiting for cones.
In 1948, Stewart's was the first to introduce the square, folding half-gallon ice cream carton. During this same year, Phyllis E. Dake, Charlie's wife, introduced the idea of letting people make sundaes their own way with a choice of toppings and a bowl of ice cream. "Make Your Own Sundaes" were created and made famous by TV advertising on WRGB (the first TV station in the Capital District).
In 1950, Saratoga Dairy and Stewart's Ice Cream were incorporated. The ice cream manufacturing operation was moved from Ballston Spa to the "Big Barn" in Greenfield. By 1955, there were over 50 Stewart's Ice Cream Shops in operation. In 1957, Stewart's challenged the Department of Agriculture to get permission to sell their own milk, from Saratoga Dairy, to their own shops. With this approval came a 25% drop in retail milk pricing in the Capital District, and within a few months, the company held 10% of the milk market.
In 1959, Charlie took over the operation of Saratoga Dairy from his uncle. In 1960, he brought his brother, William P., into the company. As a graduate engineer of Cornell University, Bill brought with him the engineering expertise the company needed. In one year under his guidance, the dairy turned from a loss to a profit. The new combination of Dake Brothers, Charles S. and William P., developed Saratoga Dairy and Stewart's Ice Cream Co. to become one of the larger, more profitable privately owned dairy companies in the East.
In 1978 Charlie Dake died at the age of 53 after a long battle with cancer. Following this devastating loss to the Dake family, friends, and Stewart's, William P. carried on with the management of the Company as President.
In 1984 Gary C. Dake, son of William P., joined the company.
In 1994 a new dairy was built. The $4 million, 35,000 square foot building will maintain high quality standards into the next century. Stewart's also purchased the Bonfare chain, which included approximately 40 shops and 8 franchises.
In 2000 Stewart's increased its contribution budget to charitable organizations in their local communities to $1,000,000. Stewart's donates 5% of profits annually.
In 2003 Gary Dake became President of Stewart's Shops; William Dake is Chairman of the Board.
In 2005 the company celebrated the 60th anniversary of the 1st Stewart's Shop, was named the producer of the 'Highest Quality' milk in New York State by Cornell University and their chocolate ice cream finished in 2nd place at the World Dairy Expo Championship in Wisconsin.
In 2006 Stewart's budget for charitable donations was increased to $1.75 million, four brand new shops were opened, and the Stewart's Holiday Match Program allocated a record amount in March of over $900,000 to children's organizations.
In 2007, the Stewart's budget for charitable donations was increased again, this time to $2 million. The Holiday Match Program had another record year with nearly $1.17 million being raised for children's charities by Stewart's and their customers.
Today, more than 80 years later, there are over 300 Stewart's Shops. The company continues to sell the same fine quality dairy products and ice cream that made them famous. In addition, Stewart's also carries a complete line of convenience groceries, food-to-go items, ATMs and gasoline (in most shops). Stewart's Shops continues to adapt based upon the needs of their customers' ever-changing lifestyles.
