Melody Farms Buys Stroh's Ice Cream

A Detroit-area dairy company is buying the ice cream started by the Stroh family during Prohibition. Melody Farms L.L.C. is buying the Stroh's Ice Cream Co. from Stuart and Gary Giller, and plans to maintain its products and employees.

The purchase, estimated by one report at $18 million, includes all real estate and equipment. The Gillers have owned Stroh's Ice Cream since 1990.

The Stroh family sold the company after decades of ice cream production spurred by the need to diversify when Prohibition turned the beer business flat. Last week, Stroh announced the sale of its beer business. (Click here to see related article).

Melody Farms President Rodney George says the deal includes Stroh's brands; Mooney's Ice Cream in northern and western Michigan; Nafziger's Ice Cream in Ohio; and licenses for Sanders Ice Cream and Savino's Sorbets.