JOHNSTOWN - What started in 1921 as an ice cream franchise by the two Dake brothers in Greenfield, is now the Outstanding Business of the year in Fulton County. Stewart's Shops was selected as this year's Outstanding Business by the Fulton County Economic Development Corp. during the organization's annual dinner at the Johnstown Holiday Inn on Saturday night.
FCEDC President Brian Hanaburgh told the audience of almost 200 people Stewart's started a dairy in Saratoga Springs in 1935, pasteurizing and bottling milk from local farmers.
In 1938, the dairy expanded with the purchase of the old Saratoga city water works building. Then, in 1940, the Big Barn in the town of Greenfield was purchased for the production of powdered whey and casein. As one of only a few markets for dairy farmers, milk was shipped to the barn from New England and as far away as Maryland.
In 1945, the brothers purchased a dairy, ice cream freezer, hardening room and shop in Ballston Spa. This was the same year that one of the brother's sons was discharged from the army. This young man had the enterprising notion to start production of ice cream and open a shop on Route 50 in Ballston Spa, and the first Stewart's Shop was established.
By 1955 there were over 50 Stewart's Ice Cream Shops in operation. In 1957, the company requested from the Department of Agriculture permission to sell their own milk to their own shops. With this approval, there was a 25 percent drop in retail milk pricing in the Capital District and within a few months, the company had 10 percent of the milk market.
They built a new, $4 million, 35,000 square foot dairy in 1994 and purchased the Bonfare chain, including 40 shops and 8 franchises. Today, the company continues to thrive with more than 300 Stewart's Shops in operation in more than 30 counties. These shops carry more than milk and ice cream. These are places to pick up last minute grocery items, food-to-go and gas for vehicles.
It realizes more than $1 billion in annual sales and more than $30 million in profits. It employs about 4,000 people between its shops, dairy, ice cream plant, distribution center and offices.
Proving that they appreciate our patronage, each year, Stewart's donates approximately 5 percent of their profit to various charities in the communities where their shops are located. They also have a "matching gift" program, wherein they match all donations made in individual shops by local customers for an approved charity.
There are seven Stewart's Shops located in the county with approximately 100 employees.
Representatives from state and local government were on hand to watch Stewart's win the Outstanding Business award including Assemblyman Marc Butler, R-Newport, Johnstown Mayor Sarah Slingerland, Gloversville Mayor Tim Hughes, Fulton County Board of Supervisor Chairman Jack Callery and board members Anthony Buanno, Richard Ottalagano, Roy Palmateer and Lee Hollenbeck, Gloversville Common Council member Ellen Anadio Judge Vincent DeSantis and Fulton County Family Court Judge Edward Skoda among others.
Crossroads Incubator Corp. President Joyce Royal told the audience about the progress being made at both the Estee Commons project, which is set to start phase two of construction and the planned condominium and single family home development in the city of Johnstown.
Hughes hinted at a rumored manufacturer possibly coming to the city of Gloversville and Slingerland talked about the city of Johnstown's efforts to keep its tax base expanding while keeping the tax levy low.
Stewart's representative Linda Lambo accepted this year's award on behalf of her company."It's always great to be honored and to be recognized in the community," Lambo said.
