St. Clairsville, OH — Kirke’s Homemade Ice Cream will reopen its doors on Monday, March 10, marking the start of its 33rd season in the Ohio Valley. The beloved, locally owned business, which has been a staple in the community for nearly a century, continues its family tradition of handcrafting quality ice cream.
“We’ve had so many people asking when we’re going to open,” said Kirke Porterfield, owner of Kirke’s Homemade Ice Cream. “They’re ready for some ice cream, and now it’s finally time.”
Porterfield’s family legacy in the ice cream business dates back to 1926, when his grandfather, Herb Walker, first started making ice cream in the area. Porterfield grew up helping out in the shop and officially took over the business in 1992. This year, the company is celebrating its 99th year of making ice cream.
Kirke’s Homemade Ice Cream is known for its wide selection of flavors, with 45 varieties available, including unique options like their signature Cat-Dog flavor and the new Biscoff’s Cookie Butter. The shop’s success can also be attributed to its continued commitment to quality and innovation.
“We make just about everything ourselves, and people appreciate the quality,” Porterfield said. “It’s a lot of work, but it’s worth it.”
Although Kirke’s has been preparing for the busy spring and summer seasons, the shop still attracts visitors year-round. Recently, a woman from Poland stopped by with her children, sharing that she hadn’t found ice cream of similar quality in the U.S. until discovering Kirke’s.
Looking ahead, Porterfield hopes to expand the business, with plans to open a new location in Shadyside this May. Kirke’s Homemade Ice Cream is also partnering with local businesses to wholesale their products at over 30 locations across the Ohio Valley. The shop’s mascot, Wilbur, frequently joins the team on mobile unit trips, making appearances and adding to the fun.
“We just keep churning out ice cream,” Porterfield said. “It’s expensive to make, but it’s worth it. We hope to keep doing this for another 100 years.”
You Might Be Interested In:
