The following Good News story was produced by 2026 Content Creator Academy Award Winners Allison Taylor, Mason Warren, and Sarah Awe of Bethel-Tate High School.
BETHEL — In our small town of Bethel stands what seems like an average, mom-and-pop ice cream shop, but it is so much more than that. Legen-Dairy Whip is, for us high school students, a place to hang out after school or practice. It’s a place to play yard games and connect with our friends.
Formerly known as Dairy Isle and later Happy Days Dairy Barn, the shop dates back to 1959. During those days, owners Earl and Betty Wolf set out to make their ice cream shop a unique place for the community to come together.
The current owners, Glenn and Merry Stetze, spotted the store after driving back from an antique machinery show in Georgetown, Ohio. Merry thought “she’s mine” after seeing the For Sale sign out front. It only took 30 days for the Stetzes to acquire the property.
Outdoor seating at Legen-Dairy Whip
Soon after acquiring the property in 2020, the couple renamed the location to Legen-Dairy Whip.
Locals know Legen-Dairy Whip as a charming, historic ice cream stand in the community, located at 3376 SR 125 in Bethel, Ohio. It is open Tuesday through Sunday, 2:00 PM – 9:00 PM.
"Every single day I get someone saying, 'I worked here'; 'My grandfather brought me here'; or 'My mom worked here,'" Merry told WCPO 9 News. "We've seen first dates. I can't tell you how many first cones we've handed out. In such a short amount of time, it just speaks volumes to the need for stuff like this and for people to go and make memories."
The most popular flavors at Legend-Dairy are natural banana soft serve, pineapple Dole Whip, and a blue ice cream that locals compare to Kings Island's flavors. Their specialty item, the "Sasquatch", is a large bucket of ice cream loaded with every topping and sauce the store has to offer. They also serve sundaes, milkshakes, and malts.
Donut Waffle Cone
Several community members describe how they look forward to Merry's seasonal ice cream creations, like the Fourth of July and Easter specials.
Students visit Legen-Dairy as often as they can. “I think what they are best at is their consistency and how their product is produced,” one student said. Another student shared, “I believe that they are best at making the community smile, their ice cream is good, their atmosphere is great, and the prices ain’t bad either!”
The Nutter Butter SundaeEven a Bethel-Tate High School teacher stated, “The best thing about Legen-Dairy ice cream is how they connect the community and encourage teens to be great in the workforce. Merry is also very supportive of community events, and she cares for the community [...] a role model for many students.”
Merry hires local students, supporting their education and extra-curricular activities.
Last year, the couple expanded their property as a local hangout spot for the community. The shop now includes more space for seating and parking. This expansion also allows them to host local and international food trucks alongside their standard ice cream menu. Trucks like Aloha Tacos, Big Dogg BBQ, and Cousins Maine Lobster make a name for themselves and give the community a great variety of savory options!
Because this ice cream shop is primarily an outdoor establishment, Legen-Dairy Whip created an amazing outdoor eating area with captivating decor and even a “Take a Book, Give a Book” free library. Even Bigfoot has been known to “show up” for pictures and at local events. And don’t worry, this local dairy shop is pet-friendly too! They serve “pup cups” for customers who bring their dogs through the drive-thru or walk-up window.
PoPo Nachos
Legen-Dairy Whip is an ice cream shop that adds life to the community. The owners have a significant impact on the community by providing students with jobs and a place to hang out.
Visit Bethel's local ice cream shop Legen-Dairy Whip to support local business owners and become part of the shop’s history.
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