What’s the Scoop on Ray’s Ice Cream?

Ray’s Ice Cream, Royal Oak – Michigan’s icy and freezing winters can make ice cream a tough sell. Most shops parlors close down for the season Labor Day, but now at Ray’s, you can expect to see a steady stream of customers at the shop 363 days a year.

Generational Ice Cream

I’ve been coming here my whole life, even from Rochester Hills, because it is the best ice cream in the state.” Says loyal customer, Ashley Udy. “My mom grew up four blocks from here. She’s been coming here since 1959.” She is just one of many with similar memories from folks who say the ice cream is simply too delicious to give up this winter.

The shop is making a comeback after a difficult time during the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting a change in ownership with the goal of keeping the name alive for years to come.
Since taking ownership of Ray’s Ice Cream at 322 Coolidge Hwy, in July 2022, new owners Jason and Lindsey Eddleston say their hard work is beginning to pay off.

New Leadership at Ray’s Ice Cream

“The business, for at least the past five years, had been losing money.” Jason Eddleston, new owner and self-proclaimed ‘Chief Scooper,’ says they spent time getting to know former owners Dale and Joan Stevens before taking over. “They were looking to keep the business going; a young family from the area with some passion who could come in and be here all the time to keep it the family owned and operated business it has been since 1958.”

He says the first year has been a balancing act between maintaining its original charm and keeping with the times, but finally, they are bouncing back from the COVID slump.

Moving forward, Eddleston hopes to expand wholesale deliveries to local restaurants and grocery stores. “We were in about 45 grocery stores when we took over the business. We have expanded to 62 now.” The classic half gallons including popular flavors like Bear Claw, Butter Pecan, Cinnamon, Peppermint and more will be more visible on store end caps in coming months. “We’ve added 75 new whole sale accounts and more Meijer’s.”

For Future Generations

The Eddlestons say they plan to add more vegan options and flavors through partnerships with Michigan businesses, but the original recipe and ingredients will stay the same. Appreciative customers are proving they want the brand to continue for decades. “We want to thank the community for the patronage they’ve given Ray’s. We want to assure them the old-school charm of Ray’s is not going to change.”

For more on Ray’s Ice Cream visit raysicecream.com

If you enjoyed this article check out our other articles on our home page.

OR visit our Youtube Channel.
Thanks for reading and we look forward to your next visit.