MASON CITY, Iowa — They’ve been in the same spot for 94 years here at 518 North Federal. Birdsall’s serves ice cream in a number of flavors, all made on-site in their back room

The business has been making and selling ice cream since 1931.

“It was in 1931 and by Addison and Esther Birdsall opened the ice cream store. Addison passed away in ’39 and his wife Esther took, operated for a while into the 1950s,” said co-owner Marc Murray. “They sold it to their son Bob in late 60s, and Bob sold it to Vaughn Escher and then Vaughn passed it on to his son David and then David passed away in December 2020.”

Marc and his partners were able to buy Birdsall’s after it closed due to the death of David Escher. The partners purchased the ice cream shop from the Escher estate.

The new owners took the shop and did an extensive remodel, giving the store more of a 60s feel. They purchased the recipes Birdsall’s used to make the ice cream. They still produce various flavors they sell, all in the back room of the store.

“It’s a premium ice cream, it’s got a pretty high butter fat content, so I’m using recipes that have been passed on for, since the beginning and I’m incorporating a few my own recipes,” said Murray.

People come to Birdsall’s for the sweet ice cream, but also for the experience.

“We serve a pretty good radius around Mason City,” said Murray. “People when they come back back home to Mason City to visit their family or whatever they have to come back and stop in and visit, with memories of coming in with their, their parents or their grandparents.”

“I’ve been coming here since I was 12, when we moved to Mason City, and I’m 73 now,” said Yvonne Santee, of Mason City.

Murray of course samples his creations.

“I just created a new raspberry flavor. That’s pretty good. That’s my favorite at the moment,” said Murray. “Overall, I always come back to the Chippermint.”

If you are looking for some ice cream in Iowa this summer, check out the Travel Iowa’s Ultimate Ice Cream List. You can also learn more about Birdsall’s Ice Cream, here.

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