BLANCHARDVILLE — Most reading this, myself included, have at least one memory that they can share that takes them back to the days of eating ice cream sundaes at the Yellowstone Dairy Restaurant, 7125 Lake Road, Blanchardville, located within Yellowstone Lake State Park. For a while, the building has sat vacant, and still does at this time. However, hopes to taste the sweet goodness of ice cream once again is rising as proposals are being sought until the deadline of Friday, May 29, by 2 p.m. The proposals should not include firewood, bait, and boat rentals, as ‘Friends of Yellowstone Lake’ have been consistently serving guests with those services.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) continues to seek proposals from those interested in operating Yellowstone Dairy Restaurant. Organizations and businesses, profit and non-profit, are asked to consider their options and reach out to the Wisconsin DNR, who owns the building and is looking for the opportunity to see it open and thriving once again.
After a recent online post on Facebook, interest has grown, and a few individuals have been meeting with Wisconsin DNR officials to look over the establishment in hopes that they can provide customers with the experience that most can remember, and long for once again. Anyone who is a budding concessionaire looking to fill their summer with positive experiences while enriching the area, will want to look into this opportunity before the end of the proposal time. Past customers are already encouraging the opening of the establishment, remembering those moments of high-heat and hand-scooped ice cream sundaes topped with sprinkles.
Lafayette Dairy Sales started the concessions at Yellowstone Lake State Park about 50 years ago. What started as a walk-up and carry-out ice cream, soda, and malt shop, has become an iconic place for locals and visitors alike. Ice cream has consistently been the most popular item for sale to park visitors. Full menu items such as Friday night fish fries and Sunday morning brunch have also been successful concepts. Camp store items, and outdoor must-haves also topped the list of fond memories.
The building offers a lot of potential, as booths and tables which seat about 50-60 individuals, are waiting to be filled. The building now offers air conditioning as of the summer of 2026, along with ceiling fans to keep the air circulating throughout the establishment. There is a large kitchen area which is equipped with a deep fryer, a commercial grill, a couple of fridge-coolers, an ice cream freezer, and additional freezer space just waiting to be utilized once again.
Visitors to Yellowstone Lake State Park, each year, average more than 200,000 individuals. As in recent years, the busiest months continue to be May, June, July, and August, with visitor numbers remaining above average in September and October as the views in the autumn months in Wisconsin are breathtaking.
Those who would like to submit a proposal are encouraged to email Konrad Plachetta before the deadline of 2 p.m. Friday, May 29 at Konrad.Plachetta@wisconsin.gov.
