February opening planned for Dairy Barn ice cream shop, restaurant on Oswego’s Main Street

After repeated delays in construction and the supply chain, the Dairy Barn ice cream shop and restaurant in downtown Oswego is expected to open its doors in February.

Mike Mann, director of developments for project developers Imperial Investments LLC of Yorkville, said in an interview Wednesday, Dec. 8, that hopes are to open doors at the 121 S. Main St. location Feb. 1 or by mid-February at the latest.

“That date has gotten pushed twice now, just because of [delivery] delays in kitchen equipment and other things,” Mann said. “Stuff has just been taking three to four times longer to get than it usually does, but it is what it is.”

Imperial Investments LLC purchased the former Dairy Hut property in August 2019 for $290,000. The “Hut” had been a summertime institution on the village’s Main Street since 1962, when it opened as the Dairy Boat ice cream stand. The Dairy Hut building was demolished and the site cleared in September 2019.

“We’ve got a few things that have to happen,” Mann said, highlighting work in the kitchen that must be completed before the gas can be turned on. “Then we can get heat in here, finish the painting.”

The Dairy Barn’s interior is adorned in white shiplap and subway tiles. Customers will be able to step up to the counter and place their order from a menu set to include soft-serve ice cream, hot dogs, french fries, chili dogs, soups, salads, burgers and more. Ice cream options will focus on quick-serve options with customizable additions such as candy and other sweets.

Signage and sayings along with chalkboard menu signs will be displayed to help “build the brand,” Mann said.

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About 130 guests can be seated at booths and tables inside the Dairy Barn in downtown Oswego, with 60 available seats outside when weather permits. (Shea Lazansky)

Indoor seating will accommodate about 130 customers at booths or tables, with additional seating on a stage in the back. An additional 60 patrons will be served their ice cream and meals at picnic tables under a covered patio when the weather allows, just as generations did when the old Dairy Hut occupied the site.

As announced on the Facebook page for the 113 Main commercial building, next to the Dairy Barn and also owned by Imperial Investments, applications are now being accepted for positions at the Dairy Barn.

“What we have to do now is get this place at least functional – not open, but functional, so that people can train in here,” Mann said. Training will hopefully begin in early January 2022, he said, giving the Dairy Barn a month to prepare to welcome its first customers. Applications will be accepted from those as young as 15 if they have signed work permits.

Reflecting on the longer than expected construction, Mann said, “The end is in sight.”

“I’ve been very excited about this,” he said. “Going all the way back to my childhood and this property, how much time I spent here. I’ve been super excited to get this up. I can hardly wait for the kids to be able to come here and enjoy some ice cream.”