The wait is over: It’s Opening Day at The LDW

By Chuck Gibson

LOVELAND, OH (February 28, 2025) – Blue skies, bright sunshine and near 60 degree temperatures ushered in the surest sign of spring in Loveland, Ohio; yes, it was Opening Day at The Loveland Dairy Whip (LDW) once again, but with a twist.

We’re not just talking a vanilla and chocolate twist cone, though that is exactly what the first order of the 2025 season at The LDW was, no sir we are talking the historic first Opening Day for new owner Luke Wiley, his family and his LDW crew. He couldn’t have asked for a better day to serve up soft-serve ice cream treats on Friday, February 28th. Perfect spring ice cream weather with a crowd of people lined up at the walk-up window and a line of cars at the drive-thru window. You could just about hear them screaming ICE CREAM!  When the clock struck 2:00 p.m., Luke Wiley slid open the window and shouted out to everyone eagerly awaiting that first cone of the season: “ICE CREAM, Get your ICE CREAM HERE!”

Faces lit up with smiles and the orders flowed in while the ice cream flowed out.

“It’s Opening Day. It’s awesome, let’s rock-n-roll,” said Wiley. “I’ve been telling people, it’s not quite the Super Bowl, but for us it’s a big deal.”

It’s not just the owner that is new. The Wiley’s and General Manager Julian Coleman are trying some new things they hope will make customers happy. One of those is “point of sale” not just cash, but credit cards accepted at the window. That was visible right away as Luke served up the first cone of the season at the walk-up window. It’s new and it might take a minute before they work out all the details.

“Have a little bit of patience with us. I think we have it,” Wiley said. “We’re gonna make some mistakes, but our going line is: we’ll make it right. Whatever it is, you didn’t get enough fudge, you want an extra cherry; totally fine, we’ll make it right! I’m pumped.”

Ten seconds later, the clock struck two and Luke was shouting out the window, taking that first order, pulling the handle on that first soft-serve vanilla/chocolate twist for the Loveland Valentine’s Ladies. He wasn’t alone. The historic first day for the new owner at Loveland Dairy Whip included an LDW Crew with Jude Fine, Milford H.S., Malia Requejo, Mason H.S. GM Julian Coleman, Sam Holt and we’d be remiss not to mention Teresa Flint-Morgan and Rick Morgan who will be helping out to ensure a smooth transition for the new owners. Along with the new owner, and credit card point of sale, General Manager Julian Coleman has added the first new treat on the LDW menu. In a tribute to Loveland and the legacy known as the Loveland Frog Man, there is now a special Loveland Frog Man dessert available.

“I heard some lore about the Loveland Frog Man,” said Coleman. “I looked into it, did a little research myself and thought it would be a fun way to incorporate the community in one of our desserts.”

Coleman says it fit right into the same theme with the Clown Dessert, Cookie Monster and all the kids desserts.

“It fits in there with the googly eyes,” Coleman said. “It’s our mint flavored ice cream, thin mints crumbled up for the dirt base, yellow googly eyes and we’ll have a toy frog in there ready to serve.”

Only about 15 minutes into the Opening Day orders the Loveland Frog Man was proving to be a hit with the customers. The Loveland Valentine’s Ladies came as a group and their first order included four of the new Loveland Frog Man taste treat.

“They’re hopping out the window,” said Coleman.

While the Loveland Valentine Ladies were first to order at the walk-up when Luke Wiley hollered “Ice Cream” as he slid open the window, it was two young men who were actually first in line with their lawn chairs and custom t-shirts indicating LDW #1 and LDW #2 hand- printed with magic markers on the spot. Isaiah Mattes and Cooper Schneider were ready and waiting at 1:10 p.m. before any other customer arrived to take a spot in line. It was also a first-time Opening Day at The LDW for Cooper, but Isaiah has experienced the tradition in years past. Early? Yes, but it was a last-minute idea.

“We were at Chic Fill-A and I had the idea,” said Isaiah. “I like the hot fudge cake.”

Cooper keeps it simple.

“I’m going large vanilla cone with sprinkles,” Cooper said.

True to their word, Isaiah got the hot fudge cake and Cooper enjoyed a large vanilla cone with sprinkles while they sat in their lawn chairs alongside the LDW building. In fact, Cooper went back and got another. We’ll have to keep our eyes open for them on Opening Day 2026 too. It seems they’re planning to pitch a tent the night before to ensure they are again first in line for Loveland Dairy Whip. After all, it’s a tradition.

We can’t forget about the drive-thru window either. It has a tradition all its own with the first car in line. This year that was Gretchen Dyer along with her friend Greg Cain. They were a little shy about sharing their story at first -something about being off work. They live in Loveland, but this was their first LDW Opening Day.

“We were out driving around, and you guys were open,” said Dyer. “We were off work.”

They did it right, securing that first spot in the drive-thru lane to get their favorite soft-serve treats. For Gretchen, it was a twist with heath and Greg ordered a  chocolate milk shake.

Luke Wiley was anything but off work. Before the windows opened, the new owner was out meeting the customers. He smiled a lot, posed for a few great pictures including the required shot with the Loveland Valentine Ladies. He also introduced another new Opening Day special – a LDW Opening Day poster for everyone to sign. (it could be a new tradition). Sunshine, blue skies, soft-serve ice cream treats, lots of smiles and laughter on a warm afternoon in Loveland. Yes indeed it was Opening Day at The Loveland Dairy Whip and spring has sprung in Loveland, Ohio.  

Stop by and get your favorite soft-serve dessert at: 611 W Loveland Ave, Loveland,OH 45140

Call for more info: 513-683-0992

Learn more about Loveland Dairy Whip at: www.theldw.com