About Us - Ehrler's Ice Cream

The Ehrler's Story

After 10 years of hard work as a milker and laborer, the incredibly ambitious Joseph Maria Ehrler opened his own milk farm with 3 or 4 cows at Shelbyville Pike (now known as Shelbyville Road). Customers would be delivered fresh milk, still warm, twice a day, seven days a week. Over the next 19 years, he and his wife, Lizzy, had 10 children and slowly grew the family business.

1867

1920

The Ehrlers bought 40 acres of land off Poplar Level Road, and their enterprise grew even larger. A whole fleet of trucks with efficient cooling systems replaced the horse-drawn wagons to deliver milk.

Milk production had grown so successful that the Ehrlers no longer needed to depend on milking their own cows, and instead bought the milk from other Swiss farmers in Louisville. Their product range grew too and included: cream, cheese, butter, ice cream, and much more. Ehrlers became Louisville’s largest independent dairy product provider.

1950

1977

The Ehrler Family sold the company, though the stores remained open. At one point there were over 20 Ehrler’s Dairy stores in Louisville and the surrounding area. Over time, and several different owners, the company narrowed their focus to ice cream and the stores were slowly closed as the decision was made to specialize in concessions and special events.

The first Ehrler’s store in over 20 years was opened, with the same classic ice cream flavors alongside shakes, floats, and sundaes. Make sure to pay us a visit next time you’re in Louisville!

2018

New Owners, Same Tradition

In 2015, Bradley Hill and Chris Kersey bought Ehrler’s Ice Cream and have been invested in bringing the beloved ice cream back to Louisville neighborhoods. They have expanded their local event presence with their ice cream truck, opened a storefront in 2018, and are planning a second storefront opening in 2023.

Both owners grew up in Louisville and are graduates of Seneca High School and the University of Kentucky. Ehrler’s was an instantly recognizable name to them, and they could not pass up an opportunity to carry on a company with so much local history. They’re both raising young families in the Louisville area and look forward to carrying on the tradition that is Ehrler’s Ice Cream for many years to come.