About Us
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For four generations, the Kirkhoff-Lodde family has been serving the finest frozen desserts in
Indiana. The Frozen Custard Igloo was started in 1932 across from Columbian Park by Charles
and Florence Kirkhoff. Previously he had been the General Manager and Mix Master of the
Frankfort Ice Cream Company. Vanilla was the only flavor sold that first year with chocolate and
strawberry added the following year. Since the original lease forbade carbonated drinks, Fruit
Drink was developed and was originally called "Hawaiian Frozen Drink." Our Grandparents soon
bought the property and started serving Coca-Cola thus making the Frozen Custard one of
Coke's oldest accounts. During World War II, cream was rationed, so sherbets were added.
Quarts of frozen custard were rationed to one per family.
Indiana. The Frozen Custard Igloo was started in 1932 across from Columbian Park by Charles
and Florence Kirkhoff. Previously he had been the General Manager and Mix Master of the
Frankfort Ice Cream Company. Vanilla was the only flavor sold that first year with chocolate and
strawberry added the following year. Since the original lease forbade carbonated drinks, Fruit
Drink was developed and was originally called "Hawaiian Frozen Drink." Our Grandparents soon
bought the property and started serving Coca-Cola thus making the Frozen Custard one of
Coke's oldest accounts. During World War II, cream was rationed, so sherbets were added.
Quarts of frozen custard were rationed to one per family.
In 1949 the current art deco building was constructed. In the fifties, the awning was added to
provide additional outside seating. Our Grandparents forged a unique partnership for the day: she
having the business mind and he for his creativity and imagination to develop the frozen custard
treats still popular today. With our grandfather's death in 1969, our parents, Dick and Charlene
Lodde, purchased the Frozen Custard from our grandmother. Soon seasonal flavors appeared on
the menu such as Pumpkin, Penuche (Maple-Walnut), and Cinnamon to name just a few. During
one Christmas, Eggnog Custard was made for our friends. Unfortunately it wouldn't freeze
because the "two cooks" unbeknownst to each other, added a bottle of rum to the custard mix.
Surprisingly, nobody complained; some even graciously offered to take the "excess off our hands!"
With their father's sudden death in 1986, the Lodde Brothers took over the operation of the family
business. In 1989, the building at the Original Frozen Custard was renovated with the new patio
and awning area as well as a complete revamping of the interior and the addition of a production
room and extra freezer and storage space.
Contrary to popular belief, the "old lady at the cone window" is not a relative. Elinor and her
husband were hired by our Grandparents around 1960. She is a special person to the customers
she serves as well as to the family. She has been the continuity between generations. She retired
at 98 years young and run circles around Kirk who tried in vain to keep up with her. After years of
planning, the West Lafayette store, the Snowbear Frozen Custard was opened. Built as a
prototype, Snowbear offers a specialized menu of sandwiches and soups as well as all the
favorite custard treats. Many aspects of the store were Dick's ideas. Rick spent time in France
and Italy studying the gelato business. After working with his Italian friends, he now has added
gelato and sorbetto to the West Lafayette store. As with the frozen custard, everything is made
fresh daily. He is always looking for new and unique flavors. Watch for the pomegranate in gelato
and sorbetto to appear this year. Currently the fourth generation is working in the business just as
the preceding two generations: learning the business dip-by-dip. There are three
great-granddaughters and three great-grandsons of Florence and Charlie Kirkhoff to carry on the
family tradition.
We thank Lafayette community for the many years of letting us serve you the best in premium ice
creams: Frozen Custard.
Rick Lodde
provide additional outside seating. Our Grandparents forged a unique partnership for the day: she
having the business mind and he for his creativity and imagination to develop the frozen custard
treats still popular today. With our grandfather's death in 1969, our parents, Dick and Charlene
Lodde, purchased the Frozen Custard from our grandmother. Soon seasonal flavors appeared on
the menu such as Pumpkin, Penuche (Maple-Walnut), and Cinnamon to name just a few. During
one Christmas, Eggnog Custard was made for our friends. Unfortunately it wouldn't freeze
because the "two cooks" unbeknownst to each other, added a bottle of rum to the custard mix.
Surprisingly, nobody complained; some even graciously offered to take the "excess off our hands!"
With their father's sudden death in 1986, the Lodde Brothers took over the operation of the family
business. In 1989, the building at the Original Frozen Custard was renovated with the new patio
and awning area as well as a complete revamping of the interior and the addition of a production
room and extra freezer and storage space.
Contrary to popular belief, the "old lady at the cone window" is not a relative. Elinor and her
husband were hired by our Grandparents around 1960. She is a special person to the customers
she serves as well as to the family. She has been the continuity between generations. She retired
at 98 years young and run circles around Kirk who tried in vain to keep up with her. After years of
planning, the West Lafayette store, the Snowbear Frozen Custard was opened. Built as a
prototype, Snowbear offers a specialized menu of sandwiches and soups as well as all the
favorite custard treats. Many aspects of the store were Dick's ideas. Rick spent time in France
and Italy studying the gelato business. After working with his Italian friends, he now has added
gelato and sorbetto to the West Lafayette store. As with the frozen custard, everything is made
fresh daily. He is always looking for new and unique flavors. Watch for the pomegranate in gelato
and sorbetto to appear this year. Currently the fourth generation is working in the business just as
the preceding two generations: learning the business dip-by-dip. There are three
great-granddaughters and three great-grandsons of Florence and Charlie Kirkhoff to carry on the
family tradition.
We thank Lafayette community for the many years of letting us serve you the best in premium ice
creams: Frozen Custard.
Rick Lodde
| OUR HISTORY |
Our Grandfather and
Mom in 1933 in front of
the original building.
Mom in 1933 in front of
the original building.
Our Grandparents in 1949 in the new art
deco building. Note all the glasses that were
used for sodas and shakes. The "Igloo"
building is on the left. It had "curb service."
deco building. Note all the glasses that were
used for sodas and shakes. The "Igloo"
building is on the left. It had "curb service."
The art deco building in 1949. It was way ahead of it's time with terrazzo floors,
ceramic tile walls, neon signs, glass block and air conditioning. Curb service was
dropped but the patio was extended in 1955 to add a covered awning seating area.
It was the best place to be on a hot summer's night, across the street from the
baseball field, Columbia Park and Pool.
On the right is our Brother Kirk and Dad taken in 1983 for a newspaper article.
ceramic tile walls, neon signs, glass block and air conditioning. Curb service was
dropped but the patio was extended in 1955 to add a covered awning seating area.
It was the best place to be on a hot summer's night, across the street from the
baseball field, Columbia Park and Pool.
On the right is our Brother Kirk and Dad taken in 1983 for a newspaper article.
The store at Wabash Landing in West Lafayette.