Over the summer, the quaint barn-shaped building that once held the smell of espresso now holds child-like wonder. Scott Buchholtz, owner of Literary Dairy, has made his dream of owning an ice cream and book shop come true.
The idea came to Buchholtz on a bike ride nine years ago after passing a recently shutdown Mr. Movies, a DVD rental store. “When they closed their doors I mentioned to my wife, ‘Orange City needs an ice cream shop, and that location would be perfect,’” Buchholtz said. “Then we turned the corner and when we got by the bandshell, I said, ‘and a children’s bookstore.’ Then when we got a block further, I said, ‘and we’d call it Literary Dairy!’”
Literary Dairy got the chance to become a reality when Roadhouse owner Aaron Lenz bought the old Town Square Coffee House building. “When I saw that the space had become available, and I was seriously thinking at this time about switching careers, I prayed on the idea of Literary Dairy coming to light,” Buchholtz said.
Buchholtz was an elementary school teacher for 22 years before opening the doors to Literary Dairy. As a former schoolteacher, Buchholtz never wanted to leave behind the joy of reading to kids, which is the inspiration for Literary Dairy’s book shop. “I have seen firsthand how getting literature into the hands of children can not only bring families together, but it also broadens their minds, allows for new ideas and discovery, it can lead to important topics around the dinner table between children and their parents, and it shapes their minds in growth and has shown to develop brains to be better learners, deeper and robust vocabulary as well as a developed sense of curiosity,” said Buccholtz.
Buchholtz created Literary Dairy as a space for all people. “I want to provide a space where families can come and spend time together, share a cone, make some memories and where friends can come and hang out,” Buccholtz said. He envisions students studying at Literary Dairy. Buchholtz kept the Town Square Wi-Fi, so the building will continue to have a strong signal for studying.
Along with ice cream and books, Literary Dairy also provides lunch options from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Buccholtz wishes to expand the options. The lunch menu currently holds ten panini options, as well as 7- and 12-inch pizzas, with a 10-inch gluten free crust. “In the future we have been talking about expanding the kitchen to serve dinner as well and possibly staying open on Friday and Saturday until midnight,” Buccholtz said, “I am planning on continuing the tradition of game nights and am open to any ideas that our brilliant college students may have.”
Loryn Schultz ventured into Literary Dairy with her brother when they had an hour of time to spare. “They have really good sundae options, and the manager was super nice.” Schultz said.
Jack MacGregor claims he had an “impressive experience” at the small-town ice cream shop, with the variety of dairy free, sundae and shake options. He purchased maple pecan ice cream on a waffle cone. “I didn’t expect the maple ice cream to be good,” MacGregor said.
Krista Wamhoff bought a lemon blue raspberry cheesecake flavor after being curious about the place. “Orange City needed an ice cream location that is not soft served,” Wamhoff said.
Buchholtz has been enjoying his new business venture, seeing old and new faces waltz through the doors wishing to grab a sweet treat. “I have a little saying that I have always said when starting this venture. ‘Ice cream may not change the world, but it can make a bad day just a little bit brighter.’”
