LA GRANDE, Ore. — After more than seven decades of serving locals and tourists alike, Hought’s 24 Flavors, one of La Grande’s historic family-owned ice cream parlors, closed its doors on Sept. 15. The beloved establishment, which first opened in 1951, will remain shuttered until spring 2025, when new owners are expected to reopen it with the guidance of retiring owner Carla Sorweide.
Sorweide, who purchased the business in 2004 and reopened it in February 2005, is retiring to Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, to be closer to family. She plans to sell the business and assist the new owners in reviving the iconic eatery and ice cream parlor next spring. “I bought the business in September 2004 and reopened it on Feb. 14, 2005,” Sorweide said. “Mr. Clair Hought had it from 1951 to 1985, so it sat closed for 20 years before I bought it. I’ve now had it for 20 years myself.”
When Sorweide took over, she retained the Hought name to honor the legacy of Clair Hought, the original owner. “I wanted to keep that going for him,” she said. Clair Hought, who passed away in 2006, was able to attend the store’s first anniversary celebration under Sorweide’s ownership in February 2006. “I brought him to the store that day so everyone could meet him,” Sorweide recalled. “He passed away a few months later.”
A Sweet Legacy
Clair Alvin Hought was born in 1913 in Noonan, North Dakota, and moved to Portland, Oregon, with his wife, Helen, in the 1930s. There, he worked for Keller’s Bakery, gaining valuable experience in the food industry. However, Hought dreamed of owning his own business. That dream came to fruition in 1951 when he and Helen passed through La Grande during a storm and decided to establish their ice cream parlor in the heart of the Grande Ronde Valley.
The Houghts opened their business, Hought’s 24 Flavors, on May 12, 1951, offering 24 unique ice cream flavors, malts, sundaes, and sherbets. The grand opening featured free cones for visitors, and the business quickly became a local favorite. Over the years, the menu expanded to include fountain drinks, banana splits, and sodas, with ads proudly proclaiming, “Our delicious ice cream is made right here in our own store.”
The Houghts operated the business for 34 years before retiring in 1985. The space remained closed until Sorweide revived it in 2005, preserving the retro atmosphere and much of the original menu. She added a few items, such as fresh burgers and curly fries, but maintained the quality and portion sizes that customers had come to expect. “I never cut back on quality,” Sorweide said. “But after 20 years, I was tired, and the state requirements became overwhelming. It was time to retire.”
Looking Ahead
Since closing on Sept. 15, Sorweide has been reflecting on her time at Hought’s 24 Flavors and preparing for the next chapter of her life. “It’s hard to believe I don’t have to open the store anymore,” she said. “I’m really going to miss the customers.”
Sorweide has already received significant interest from potential buyers for the business and the attached residence. She plans to finalize the sale next spring after spending the winter in New Mexico. “The new owners will have to keep the business name, or they won’t be successful,” she said. “I’ll also show them how to save money operating it.”
As part of the transition, Sorweide will pass along the Hought family’s traditions and secret recipes, ensuring the 74-year-old legacy continues into 2025 and beyond. “It’s my duty and privilege to keep this tradition alive,” she said.
For now, the community awaits the spring reopening of Hought’s 24 Flavors, hopeful that the new owners will carry forward the sweet legacy that has delighted generations of ice cream lovers.
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